STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Alabama women’s tennis team opened its Southeastern Conference slate after defeating Mississippi State, 4-1, Sunday at Rula Tennis Pavilion.

After dropping the doubles point, the Crimson Tide (9-0, 1-0 SEC) found success during singles play, earning victories on courts one through four to clinch the match.

“The team competed well in today’s match. Although we didn’t play our best tennis, the players decided that if they needed to play ugly to win, they would do so. We have areas to improve on for next week that will benefit us in our upcoming matches.”

Match Notes

• Karla Bartel secured Alabama’s first win on court four after downing Carolina Troiano in straight sets (6-3, 6-2)
• On court two, Klara Milicevic defeated Thes Ntondele Zinga in two sets (6-2, 6-3)
• After a first set tiebreaker, No. 53 Kristiana Paskauskas beat Cha Kempenaers-Pocz on court one (7-6(6), 6-4)
• Maria Andrienko clinched the match for the Crimson Tide on court three after defeating Chiara Di Genove (7-6(2), 6-3)
• Matches on courts five and six remained unfinished when the match was clinched

Results

Singles

1. Kristina Paskauskas (UA) def. Cha Kempenaers-Pocz (MSU) 7-6(6), 6-4
2. Klara Milicevic (UA) def. Thes Ntondele Zinga (MSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Maria Andrienko (UA) def. Chiara Di Genova (MSU) 7-6(2), 6-3
4. Karla Bartel (UA) def. Carolina Troiano (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Mia Robinson (MSU) vs. Addison bowman (UA) 6-4, 6-6(4-1), unfinished
6. Noemie Oliveras (MSU) vs. Amina Salibayeva (UA) 6-4, 4-6, 2-5, unfinished

Doubles

1. Chiara Di Genova/Cha Kempenaers-Pocz (MSU) vs. Karla Bartel/Kristina Paskauskas (UA) 5-3, unfinished
2. Emma Cohen/Thes Ntondele Zinga (MSU) def. Maria Andrienko/Klara Milicevic (UA) 6-3
3. Athina Pitta/Mia Robinson (MSU) def. Addison Bowman/Amina Salibayeva (UA) 6-4

Up Next

• Alabama will welcome the Kentucky Wildcats on Thursday, Feb. 26
• First serve is set for 5 p.m. CT at the Alabama Tennis Stadium