The second-ranked Georgia women’s tennis team (4-0) opened play at the ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championship on Friday afternoon with a 4-0 sweep over No. 17 Texas Tech (4-1) on the campus of the University of Wisconsin.
Junior Caroline Brinson (ranked 22nd in singles) had a strong afternoon, having a hand in a doubles victory on the second court along side Silvia Garcia as well as registering a 6-0, 6-0 dominant win on the second singles court over Lynn Kiro.
The Bulldogs once again won every match that was played to completion, improving the team’s record to 22-0 in individual matches on the season.
“It was a great, tough match today,” said Georgia head coach Jeff Wallace. “Doubles was exciting with Kennedy (Shaffer) and Laura (Patterson) coming back from down 3-0 to clinch the point. Caroline (Brinson) played outstanding, winning 6-0, 6-0, and everyone is ready and excited about tomorrow.”
Brinson and Garcia got the ball rolling against the Red Raiders, claiming the first win of the day on the second doubles court, 6-3. The third pairing of Shaffer and Patterson displayed tremendous grit soon after, coming back from down 3-0 to claim a 6-4 victory and clinch the doubles point for the Bulldogs.
In singles, Brinson made quick work of her opponent on the two court, cruising to a 6-0, 6-0 win. Twelfth-ranked Ellen Perez followed suit with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win over No. 77 Gabriela Talaba. Shaffer kept her singles momentum with a 6-2, 6-3 win on the four court, her fourth singles win in dual play, to clinch the match.
Georgia will next face No. 12 Michigan on Saturday in the quarterfinal round
MATCH NOTES:
Texas Tech 4-1; National ranking #17
Georgia 4-0; National ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (2,1,4)
2016 ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championship – First Round
Singles competition
1. #12 Ellen Perez (UGA) def. #77 Gabriela Talaba (TT) 6-1, 6-2
2. #22 Caroline Brinson (UGA) def. Lynn Kiro (TT) 6-0, 6-0
3. #82 Silvia Garcia (UGA) vs. Sarah Dvorak (TT) 6-2, 2-5, unfinished
4. #109 Kennedy Shaffer (UGA) def. Sabrina Federici (TT) 6-2, 6-3
5. Mariana Gould (UGA) vs. Alex Valenstein (TT) 4-6, 1-4, unfinished
6. Laura Patterson (UGA) vs. Felicity Maltby (TT) 2-6, 5-5, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #14 Ellen Perez/Mariana Gould (UGA) vs. Lynn Kiro/Gabriela Talaba (TT) 6-5, unfinished
2. Silvia Garcia/Caroline Brinson (UGA) def. Sarah Dvorak/Alex Valenstein (TT) 6-3
3. Laura Patterson/Kennedy Shaffer (UGA) def. Sabrina Federici/Felicity Maltby (TT) 6-4
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