Women’s tennis downs Power Four

The Troy women’s tennis team spent their weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, competing at the Roberta Alison Fall Classic. They were joined  by several premier programs such as the Alabama and Georgia.

Maria Guirguis and Valeriia Avdeeva ran the table in singles play over the weekend, taking down six Power Four opponents in the process.

On day one of action, singles play went in favor of the Trojans. Troy went 5-1 on the day.

They also participated in doubles action, losing the only game they played. The team of Guirguis and Avdeeva fell 7-5 to Louisville’s Berta Miret and Elena Noguero.

In round one of singles action, Troy’s only loss came at the hands of Alabama’s Ansley Cheshire. Emilia Namyslo took her to three sets, falling6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Guirguis and Avdeeva also saw singles action. Guirguis took down Mississippi State’s Emma Cohen 7-5, 6-2. Avdeeva faced familiar foeMiret, this time in singles action, also winning 6-3, 6-1.

Round two saw continued success for the Trojans. Avdeeva, Guirguis and Namyslo all took care of business. In the longest match of round two, Guirguis and Louisville’s Germany Davis went to three sets, with Guirguis ultimately bringing home the win 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.

Day two was bittersweet for the Trojans – on one hand they went 2-1 in singles action while sweeping doubles action 2-0. On the other hand, it marked the end of the tournament as well as the fall season.

Doubles play resumed in round two with some conference action. Troy’s duo of Avdeeva and Guirguis were met by South Alabama’s Manal Ennaciri and Lara Van der Merwe. The pair handled their rivals decisively 6-1.

Round three pitted the Trojans against the SEC’s Mississippi State. The competition shined on both sides, but the ball spun the Trojans way 7-5. With that, doubles play concluded -- Troy was 2-1 overall.

Singles action followed suit and was home to another South Alabama versus Troy showdown. This time it was Lara Van der Merwe looking to avenge her earlier loss against Namyslo. Van der Merwe was able to take home a win in two sets, 6-3, 6-1.

Avdeeva and Guirguis both faced SEC opponents in their final round of singles action – both securing wins. Avdeeva won two sets against Georgia’s Sarah Branicki,6-3, 6-1. Guirguis handled business against Auburn Tiger Julie Bedard 6-1, 6-2.

Now, the Trojans are on a break for the winter. Their next opportunity to see the court will be in the spring against Kennesaw State.