ELON, N.C. – Despite a valiant attempt from Montana Moore to rally in the second set at No. 6 singles to keep Elon University women’s tennis alive in the match, the Phoenix fell 4-3 to Furman on Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.
RESULTS
Leading the way for Elon (2-1) was Erica Braschi, who finished a perfect 2-0 for the afternoon with wins in both singles and doubles play. Alex Koniaev and Suzanne Zenoni also put in strong performances in singles play for the Phoenix. Gabby Rodriguez clinched the match for Furman (2-1) at No. 6 singles with a tight second-set tiebreaker against Moore.
“I’m proud of our team’s effort today against a good Furman team,” said head coach Elizabeth Anderson. “Furman won a tight doubles point and came out at the end to close the match in singles. There’s a lot we can learn from this match as a team to help us improve moving forward this season. Also, we’d like to thank the Elon University physical plant staff and Deputy Director of Athletics Mike Ward for helping us get the courts ready this morning for today’s match.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Furman took the early 1-0 advantage winning the doubles point. The Phoenix got on the board first as Braschi and Moore picked up a 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles for their third-straight doubles victory of the season. The Paladins bounced back at No. 1 as Katarina Kozarov and Aryn Greene earned a 6-2 win to tie up the doubles point.
Doubles would be decided on court three. Olivia Lucas and Koniaev took an early 3-2 lead, but Katty Weymouth and Danni Vines battled back to take a 4-3 lead and held on for the 6-4 victory.
In singles action began with the Paladins taking a 2-0 lead in the match. Kozarov earned a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Lucas to extend Furman’s advantage. Just moments later, Koniaev put the Phoenix on the board with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Georgie Walker on court six.
The Paladins answered right back as Aryn Greene knocked off Maria Paraja 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 4 position to give Furman a 3-1 lead in the match.
After falling in her first set 6-3, Moore fought back to force a second-set tiebreaker against Rodriguez. Moore trailed in the tiebreaker 5-2, but rallied back to take a 6-5 lead. Rodriguez was able to bounce back, winning three straight points to clinch Furman’s win with an 7-6 (6) victory in the tiebreak.
Braschi remained undefeated in singles this season with a victory on court two. She won the first set 6-4, but Weymouth forced a third set 10-point tiebreaker winning 6-4 in the second. Braschi fought hard in an epic tiebreak to win 12-10. Zenoni closed out the match with a 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-2 victory on court three to remain unbeaten this season.
UP NEXT
The Phoenix hits the road for the first time this season on Wednesday, Jan. 24, with a doubleheader in Durham, N.C. Elon will face No. 9-ranked Duke at 3 p.m., followed by a neutral match against Meredith College at 6:30 p.m.