Bulldogs Beat Sooners 5-2, Advance to ITA Indoors Semifinals

Saturday, February 11

Seattle, Wash.

12 p.m.

University of Georgia

Oklahoma

Bulldogs Beat Sooners 5-2, Advance to ITA Indoors Semifinals

February 11, 2023 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. — The fifth-ranked University of Georgia women's tennis team topped 15th-ranked Oklahoma 5-2 on Saturday afternoon to advance to the semifinals of the 2023 ITA National Team Indoors Championship.

"Today was another total team effort," said Georgia associate head coach Drake Bernstein following the match. "We're really proud of the way our team stuck together from start to finish and played every point to win all day. We're finding our identity as a team and are getting better every day."

In doubles action, Georgia (4-2) took two-of-three from Oklahoma (6-4). Ania Hertel and Anastasiia Lopata dominated court three, defeating Dana Guzman and Julia Garcia Ruiz 6-1, while Meg Kowalski and Mell Reasco fell to Alexandra Pisareva and Layne Sleeth 6-1. The sophomore tandem of Guillermina Grant and Mai Nirundorn topped Carmen Corley and Ivana Corley 6-3 to earn the doubles point. This marked the first doubles loss of the season for Oklahoma.

In singles, the Bulldogs won four matches. Oklahoma quickly tied the match up at one-all after Alexandra Pisareva defeated Nirundorn in straight sets. Georgia responded with a straight-set win on court two after No. 40 Vidmanova topped Carmen Corley 6-2, 7-6(7). She was quickly followed by Kowalski who outlasted Dana Guzman in a three-set battle, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3. The Sooners added another point on the board after Hertel fell to Emma Stake in three sets. Only needing one point, No. 11 Lea Ma and No. 39 Reasco logged a photo finish as Ma defeated Layne Sleeth and Reasco defeated Julia Garcia Ruiz to clinch the win for the Bulldogs.

Georgia will return to action on Sunday, Feb. 12 in the semifinals of the ITA National Team Indoors Championship. The Bulldogs will take on the winner of the Texas vs. Iowa State match at 3 p.m. ET.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Bulldogs by following UGA Women's Tennis on Twitter @UGAWomensTennis, on Instagram @UGAWomensTennis, and on Facebook @GeorgiaWomensTennis or check out information online at GeorgiaDogs.com

Doubles Results
1. Guillermina Grant/Mai Nirundorn (UGA) def. #28 Carmen Corley/Ivana Corley (OU) 6-3
2. #16 Alexandra Pisareva/Layne Sleeth (OU) def. Meg Kowalski/Mell Reasco (UGA) 6-1
3. Ania Hertel/Anastasiia Lopata (UGA) def. Dana Guzman/Julia Garcia Ruiz (OU) 6-3

Singles Result
1. #11 Lea Ma (UGA) def. Layne Sleeth (OU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
2. #40 Dasha Vidmanova (UGA) def. #96 Carmen Corley (OU) 6-2, 7-6(7)
3. Meg Kowalski (UGA) def. #83 Dana Guzman (OU) 6-0, 1-6, 6-3
4. #39 Mell Reasco (UGA) def. Julia Garcia Ruiz (OU) 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3
5. Emma Staker (OU) def. Ania Hertel (UGA) 6-2, 1-6, 7-5
6. Alexandra Pisareva (OU) def. Mai Nirundorn (UGA) 6-1, 6-3

Post Game Quotes
Georgia Associate Head Coach Drake Bernstein
"Obviously our doubles hit the ground running and never looked back," said Bernstein. "We're getting more comfortable there and definitely are proud of the progress we're making."

"I can not say enough about Meg Kowalski," said Bernstein. "She is such a leader for our team and the bigger the moment, the better her tennis. She just refuses to take no for an answer."

"We talked a lot yesterday about everyone getting their turn to step up here and today that was the case for Mell. After a tough one yesterday, she was incredible for three full sets today. I'm really proud of her fight today. Dasha also did a great job finding a way to get off the court in straight sets today after being a break down for most of the second set. Getting that point on the board was big for our team momentum."

"Lea did an admirable job fighting back today from down a set. She's dialing in her comfort zone and is playing some the best tennis of her career. She's putting it on the line every day here and embracing the challenges each day brings."