The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Stanford
No. 25 Rebels Knock off No. 8 Stanford
1/29/2016 | Women's Tennis
Complete Results | Photo Gallery 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- In a match that lasted more than five hours, the No. 25 ranked Ole Miss women's tennis team (3-0) outlasted No. 8 Stanford 4-3 Friday in an instant classic at the Currey Tennis Center.
The match came down to a battle at No. 6 singles between senior Marija Milutinovic and Stanford freshman Kimberly Yee. Milutinovic won the first set 6-1, but Yee rallied to take the second set 6-4. After gaining an early lead in the third (3-0), Milutinovic found herself trailing 3-4. Milutinovic then won two straight games to go up 5-4 and served for the match. Yee broke back, but Milutinovic would break her again and this time she held serve to clinch the Rebels first ever win against Stanford in program history.
Stanford, who owns a program-best 17 NCAA Championships, gained a 2-0 lead by taking a close doubles point and then a straight set win at No. 3 singles. The Rebels picked up a win at No. 1 singles to get on the board, before the Cardinal followed with a three-setter at No. 5 singles to increase their lead to 3-1. Ole Miss answered with three-set wins at Nos. 2 and 4 to tie the match and set up Milutinovic for the clinching victory on court six.
Top-10 Win in Doubles...
After Stanford claimed the No. 3 doubles match 6-2, the No. 47 ranked duo of senior Mai El Kamash and sophomore Arianne Hartono defeated No. 10 Taylor Davidson and Caroline Doyle 6-4 at No. 1 doubles, handing the duo just their second loss dating back to the fall. The point came down to court two, where the Cardinal duo of Melissa Lord and Kimberly Yee finished off a 6-4 win against freshman Allie Sanford and sophomore Natalie Suk to give their team a 1-0 lead.
Five Three-Setters in Singles...
If you're going to beat one of the all-time best programs in college tennis, you have to earn it, because they aren't going to hand it to you. That's exactly what the Rebels did in singles, winning four three-setters to complete the comeback.
Stanford went up 2-0 when Krista Hardebeck beat 55th-ranked Mai El Kamash 6-2, 6-4 at No. 3 singles. Almost simultaneously, the matches on courts five and one finished to make it 3-1 Stanford. Arianne Hartono, ranked No. 84 in singles, held off All-American and No. 20 ranked Taylor Davidson 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 moments before Cardinal Caroline Lampl completed her comeback against Rebel junior Zalina Khairudinova, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 5 singles.
The Rebels pulled to within 3-2, when sophomore Natalie Suk rallied to beat All-American and No. 39 ranked Caroline Doyle 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 2 singles. Freshman Tea Jandric, ranked No. 44, followed up Suk with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 win against Stanford's Melissa Lord at No. 4 singles to set up the final outcome.
Quoting Head Coach Mark Beyers...
"Before the match we talked to the team about not playing the scoreboard, but just working as hard and as smart as possible each and every point. As a whole they did an amazing job of fighting and handling the momentum changes. We are so happy for 'Chip,' to be able to clinch a match like this as a senior."
Senior Marija Milutinovic...
"I didn't realize Tea had won and that we were tied 3-3 until the middle of my second set. I have to admit that kind of made me a little nervous to close it out. You want to win so badly for yourself, but more importantly for the team. When I finally got the last point, I was so exhausted and glad the match was finally over. I am so happy for myself and for the team. I would not have made it without my team. They did a great job of supporting me; it was a total team effort today to get the win."
Next Up...
The Rebels return home to host Purdue and Memphis next Friday and Saturday at the Gillom Sports Center. The match against Purdue starts at 2 p.m., and fans will receive a free poster of the match-clincher, Milutinovic.
For more information on Ole Miss Women's Tennis, follow the Rebels on Twitter @OleMissWTennis, on Facebook at OleMissWTennis and on Instagram at OleMissWTennis. Also follow Coach Beyers on Twitter, @MarkBeyers.
#25 Ole Miss 4, #8 Stanford 3
Doubles
1. #47 El Kamash/Hartono (OM) def. #10 Davidson/Doyle (STAN) 6-4
2. Lord/Yee (STAN) def. Sanford/Suk (OM) 6-4
3. Hardebeck/Lampl (STAN) def. Khairudinova/Jandric (OM) 6-2
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
Singles
1. #84 Arianne Hartono (OM) def. #20 Taylor Davidson (STAN) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1
2. Natalie Suk (OM) def. #39 Caroline Doyle (STAN) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
3. Krista Hardebeck (STAN) def. #55 Mai El Kamash (OM) 6-2, 6-4
4. #44 Tea Jandric (OM) def. Melissa Lord (STAN) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
5. Caroline Lampl (STAN) def. Zalina Khairudinova (OM) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
6. Marija Milutinovic (OM) def. Kimberly Yee (STAN) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 5, 2, 4, 6
Players Mentioned
