Memphis rallies to defeat ECU

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Facing an early deficit, the Memphis women's tennis team rebounded to turn in its first conference win of the season, downing league foe ECU 4-2 on Friday at the Racquet Club of Memphis.

ECU (10-5, 1-2) struck quickly in doubles, but the Tigers (9-7, 1-3) turned in four singles wins to complete the come-from-behind bid.

"Today was a solid performance by the team in singles," head coach Hayden Perez said. "I was proud of our efforts and how hard we fought after losing the doubles point. Our tough schedule up to this point in the season really paid off today. I'm looking forward to taking this effort into Sunday!"

ECU claimed the opening doubles point for an early advantage. Tiger duo Anki Wind and Laura Bente claimed a win on court 2, but the Pirates rallied for wins at 1 and 3 to take a 1-0 lead.

Wind responded to get the Tigers on the board in singles play. She turned in a straight-set win at the top spot against No. 53 Celia Ruiz to tie the match. Wind took the opening set 6-3 and built a 3-0 lead in the final frame. Despite a rally from Ruiz, Wind held serve late to take the match 6-3, 7-5. The victory improved her singles record to 13-2 and stands as her first ranked win of the season.

After ECU answered on court 4, senior Hanna Sohn knotted the match once more with a three-set thriller on court 2. Despite dropping the opening set, Sohn fought back to take the next two frames for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. Sohn improved her singles mark to 8-4 and has now won six of her last seven decisions.

Bente gave the Tigers their first lead of the day on court 3 with a three-set win. After splitting the first two frames, Bente forced a tiebreak in the third set. The freshman gathered a quick lead and turned in a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(4) victory.

Fellow freshman Alisha Reayer provided the clinch shortly after on court 5. Reayer worked quickly in the first set and used the momentum to take the match in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, to seal the 4-2 win.

League play rolls on for Memphis as the Tigers cap the weekend at home against Tulane. Sunday's first serve from the Racquet Club of Memphis is set for 10 a.m.

RESULTS

Singles
1. Wind (MEM) def. #53 Ruiz (ECU) 6-3, 7-5
2. Sohn (MEM) def. Hofbauer (ECU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
3. Bente (MEM) def. Diercksen (ECU) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Rettich (ECU) def. Sullivan (MEM) 6-2, 7-5
5. Reayer (MEM) def. Chiao (ECU) 6-1, 6-2
6. K. Cao (MEM) vs. Sarjoo (ECU) 6-3, unfinished

Doubles
1. Hofbauer/Ruiz (ECU) def. #78 Sohn/K. Cao (MEM) 6-2
2. Wind/Bente (MEM) def. Diercksen/Veinsteina (ECU) 6-1
3. Chiao/Rettich (ECU) def. Sullivan/J. Cao (MEM) 6-1

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Players Mentioned

Hanna Sohn

Anki Wind

University of Memphis Athletics