Alabama Closes Regular Season with Loss to South Carolina

Sunday, April 16

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1 P.M. CT

Alabama

South Carolina

Alabama Closes Regular Season with Loss to South Carolina

4/16/2023 5:33:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score Photo Gallery

The Crimson Tide will compete as the ninth seed in the SEC Tournament on Thursday against eighth-seeded Vanderbilt

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –– In a long, back-and-forth match on Sunday, the Alabama women's tennis team fell to No. 29 South Carolina (13-9, 8-5 SEC), 4-0, at the Alabama Tennis Stadium. The match was the final competition of the regular season, as the Crimson Tide (12-11, 5-8 SEC) will head to the SEC Tournament to face Vanderbilt on Thursday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Petra Sedlackova and Anna Parkhomenko captured the first win of the day, topping doubles court two. However, wins on courts three and one, respectively, gave the Gamecocks the opening point. South Carolina would go on to win on court one of singles, before securing a victory off a second-set tiebreaker on both six and three, respectively, to clinch the match.

The Crimson Tide's day was highlighted by three-set performances from Petra Sedlackova on court two and Klara Milicevic on court five. Additionally, Anne Marie Hiser posted a win in set one on court four and was trading points in the second set when the match was decided.

Gallery: (4-16-2023) 04-16-23 WTN vs South Carolina

From Head Coach Jenny Mainz

"I'm proud of our team for their fight today. We lost a close doubles point that could have gone either way. We had a slow start in singles dropping four first sets but battled back and gave ourselves a chance to get back into the match. Our girls did not quit showing a lot of grit and tenacity. The late push was not enough against a really good South Carolina team. We'll regroup and prepare to go make run at the SEC Tournament.

"I personally want to thank my team, coaching staff, support staff and administration for the love and support they demonstrated this season and through the years. It's been an incredible journey with so many great memories and relationships along the way. My heart is full and I'm grateful for the opportunity to lead the Alabama women's tennis team for the last 26 years. A special thanks to the Tuscaloosa community for the steadfast encouragement through the years. Roll Tide Forever."

The Match

Sedlackova and Parkhomenko captured a 6-3 victory over Misa Malkin and Elise Mills on court two to open the day
South Carolina, however, would win the two remaining doubles courts, before securing three singles wins for the match victory on courts one, six and three, respectively
Despite the loss, Anna Parkhomenko, on court three, and Ansley Cheshire, on court six, would force a second-set tiebreaker on their respective courts
Hiser won her opening set 6-4 against Elise Mills on court four, and was trailing 5-6 when the match was clinched
Petra Sedlackova was leading in a third set against No. 20 Sarah Hamner on court two, 7-5, 3-6, 2-1, and Klara Milicevic battled back from an opening-set loss to lead 2-6, 6-3, 4-3 on court five against Alice Otis when the match was decided

Alabama will begin SEC Tournament action on Thursday in the second round
The Crimson Tide will compete as the ninth seed and will face eighth-seeded Vanderbilt at 12 p.m. CT in Fayetteville, Ark.

Results

Doubles:

1 | #54 Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) def. #32 Loudmilla Bencheikh/Anne Marie Hiser (UA) 7-5
2 | Petra Sedlackova/Anna Parkhomenko (UA) def. Misa Malkin/Elise Mills (SC) 6-3
3 | Allie Gretkowski/Ana Cruz (SC) def. Kasia Pitak/Klara Milicevic (UA) 6-4

Order of Finish (2,3,1)

Singles:

1 | #9 Ayana Akli (SC) def. #114 Loudmilla Bencheikh (UA) 6-1, 6-4
2 | Petra Sedlackova (UA) vs. #20 Sarah Hamner (SC) 7-5, 3-6, 2-1, unfinished
3 | Misa Malkin (SC) def. Anna Parkhomenko (UA) 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
4 | Anne Marie Hiser (UA) vs. Elise Mills (SC) 6-4, 5-6, unfinished
5 | Klara Milicevic (UA) vs. Alice Otis (SC) 2-6, 6-3, 4-3, unfinished
6 | Ana Cruz (SC) def. Ansley Cheshire (UA) 6-1, 7-6 (7-1)

Order of Finish (1,6,3)

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