THE FLATS – The No. 3 Georgia Tech women’s tennis team sent its two seniors out in style on Sunday afternoon, clinching a 4-0 victory over Clemson to finish the regular season at 20-4 overall and 12-2 in ACC play. The win sealed Tech’s second-straight 20-win season and second under head coach Rodney Harmon.
DOUBLES ACTION: Claiming 6-4 victories from the one and three seeds, Georgia Tech clinched the doubles point and the early 1-0 lead. On serve at 3-3 on court one, Tech’s No. 2-ranked duo of Paige Hourigan and Kenya Jones broke No. 33 Marie Leduc/Fernanda Navarro to grab a 4-3 edge. The Jackets and Tigers each held serve for a 5-4 tally before Hourigan served out the match, securing the win with an ace for a 6-4 triumph.
All eyes turned to court three where Tech’s Johnnise Renaud and Nami Otsuka fought off three game points to hold serve at 4-3. The teams remained on serve at 5-4 before the Jackets broke Daniela Ruiz/Sydney Riley to claim a 6-4 victory and clinch the doubles point for Tech.
SINGLES ACTION: The Jackets quickly dismantled the Tigers in singles play, securing three straight-set victories to clinch the match. Renaud wrapped up first, posting a 6-2, 6-3 win on her senior day over Miller-Krasilnikov from the No. 3 position to push Tech in the lead, 2-0.
Otsuka and Flores both sealed their singles victories within minutes of each other to secure the match for the Jackets. Otsuka fought off a rally from Riley at No. 5. After taking the first set, 6-1, Otsuka held strong for a 7-5 second set victory to extend Tech’s lead to 3-0.
Competing at the six seed, Flores clinched the win for Tech over Ruiz. The freshman easily claimed the first set, 6-1, and fought off an early second set deficit to pull out a 6-4 triumph to clinch the match at 4-0.
QUOTABLE: “It was a great senior day. I’m so happy for Paige and Johnnise. They’ve done such great work in this program, both as players and as students for four years. Everyone fought hard today. Clemson has a good team – they just came off a great win over Virginia – so we definitely had to play our best tennis. I was pleased with the way we played and hopefully we can keep that momentum going into the ACC Championship.” – head coach Rodney Harmon
UP NEXT: Georgia Tech will head to Cary, N.C. for the 2018 ACC Tournament, which runs April 25-29 at the Cary Tennis Park.
No. 3 GEORGIA TECH vs CLEMSON RESULTS
Match Score: Georgia Tech 4, Clemson 0
DOUBLES
1. No. 2 Paige Hourigan/Kenya Jones (GT) def. No. 33 Marie Leduc/Fernanda Navarro (CU) 6-4
2. No. 69 Ida Jarlskog/Victoria Flores (GT) vs. Miller-Krasilnikov/Tate Schroeder (CU) 5-5, DNF
3. Johnnise Renaud/Nami Otsuka (GT) def. Daniela Ruiz/Sydney Riley (CU) 6-4
Order of finish: 1,3
SINGLES
1. No. 12 Paige Hourigan (GT) vs. No. 23 Marie Leduc (CU) 1-6, 6-5, DNF
2. No. 73 Kenya Jones (GT) vs. Fernanda Navarro (CU) 6-7 (3-7), 2-2, DNF
3. Johnnise Renaud (GT) def. A. Miller-Krasilnikov (CU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Ida Jarlskog (GT) vs. Tate Schroeder (CU) 6-4, 4-2, DNF
5. Nami Otsuka (GT) def. Sydney Riley (CU) 6-1, 7-5
6. Victoria Flores (GT) def. Daniela Ruiz (CU) 6-1, 6-4
Order of finish: 3,5,6
Records: Georgia Tech (20-4, 12-2 ACC); Clemson (13-12, 6-8 ACC)
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