Mount Olive upsets Lees-McRae

FLORENCE, S.C. – After battling rainy conditions and several delays, the No. 3 seeded University of Mount Olive women’s tennis team secured a 4-1 victory over No. 2 Lees-McRae April 22 in the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Championship to advance to the finals for a third-straight season.

With the win, the Trojans clinched their third straight victory to improve to 13-11 overall and avenge a loss to Lees-McRae during the regular season. Meanwhile, the Bobcats close the year with a 9-9 record.

Mount Olive captured the doubles point after producing wins in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. Senior Liza Voloshyna and junior Nele Weber registered their third straight win in a 6-3 win over Anita Ivanova and Mei Hiramatsu in the first position and improved to 17-4 this year as a duo. In the second slot, senior Ingrid Montserrat and freshman Oriana Izarra delivered a 6-2 victory to secure their 12th consecutive win in doubles play against Rhidaim Yang and Pati Vedia Sanchez. The No. 3 doubles was left unfinished with the match tied at 5-5.

In singles play, the Trojans claimed wins in three of the four completed matches. The Bobcats secured the first singles win in the sixth slot after junior Jessica Aylward suffered a 6-0, 6-2 loss to Lina Ngassi Saquot. Voloshyna responded by making quick work of Ivanova after recording a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 2 singles. Freshman Laura Servien followed with a 6-3, 2-1 victory after Begum Gumussoy was forced to retire. In the first position, Montserrat posted her third straight victory with a 6-4, 6-2 decision versus Hiramatsu to seal the match win.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics