Women's tennis drops match to Mercer

Troy women’s tennis closed out the month of February with a two-match homestand. The Trojans faced Jacksonville State to open the week and concluded the week by taking on Mercer. While Troy ultimately dropped both matches, they pushed their opponents to seven and six matches, respectively.

Maria Guirguis hits a shot during a 2026 match. (Troy Athletics photo)

Starting with JSU, the Trojans ultimately fell, 4-3, but secured some key victories along the way. On court one, Maria Guirguis teamed with Hiba Heni to take down the Gamecock duo of Aneka Patel and Polina Ramenskaja, 6-1. Guirguis carried her momentum into singles play where she took down Ramenskaja from the No.1 position – she took set one, 6-1, then followed it up by taking set two via tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-3).  

On court two, Leena Metwally claimed a three-set victory in her match against Ange Rodriguez Rizo. Rodriguez Rizo took set one, and Metwally took set two, leading to a decisive third set. In set three, Metwally proved to be too much for Rodriguez Rizo, and overpowered her to vanquish her competition, 4-6, 6-0, 6-0. 

Moving on to Mercer, this match marked the return of former head coach Eric Hayes. Hayes coached the Trojans for over a decade, securing over 100 victories while also being named the 2004 ASUN Coach of the Year.  

In doubles action, the day began with Hiba Heni teaming with Emilia Namyslo to take on Sofiya Tsitavets and Tea Zivic in doubles action. Heni and Namyslo went on to secure the victory, 6-4. The duo of Maria Guirguis and Valeriia Avdeeva were on the brink of victory in their match against Mercer’s Marina Quinones and Ines Homberg. The Mercer duo squeezed out a one-point victory via tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-2).  

In singles action, from the number two position, Metwally was victorious over Zivic in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Alexia Zarate also found singles success in her straight set victory over Mercer’s Marie Bannmeyer, 6-3, 6-1. On court one, Guirguis was leading in the third set of her match with Marina Quinones when the match was abandoned, 6-3, 4-6, 3-0. 

The Trojans look to bounce back with two matches to close out the week. On Thursday, they are set to travel to Florence, Alabama, to take on UNA at 1 p.m. On Sunday, the Trojans are set to open conference play against Coastal Carolina in Atlanta, Georgia, at 10 a.m.