The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Head to Starkville to Face Mississippi State
4/7/2016 | Women's Tennis
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Women's Tennis team concludes regular season SEC play on the road beginning with a match at Mississippi State on Friday.
The Rebels and the Bulldogs will square off at 3 p.m., at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
Last time out...
The Rebels fell to No. 5 Vanderbilt on Senior Day, finishing the season 5-5 at home. Zalina Khairudinova and Marija Milutinovic struck first, winning 6-4 at No. 3 doubles. They were followed with another win by Arianne Hartono and Mai El Kamash at No.1 doubles. However, the Commodores got off to quick start in singles by taking all six first sets and the Rebels were not able to come back.
Scouting Mississippi State…
After the Bulldogs' upset over No. 23 Kentucky, the victory marked the first time since 1989 that State has notched two top 25 wins in a single season. State's lone senior, Georgiana Patrasc, provided the match clincher as she held serve at No. 2 for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 upset. They are now 14-7 overall and 3-6 in the SEC.
Series…
Ole Miss has won 26 straight in the series and has not lost to the Bulldogs since 1989. Last year, the Rebels escaped with a 4-3 win against MSU at home on Senior Day.
National Rankings…
In the latest individual Oracle/ITA Rankings, Arianne Hartono is up 12 spots to No. 29 singles. Natalie Suk is No. 68 and Mai El Kamash is No. 85. In doubles, Hartono and El Kamash are No. 27. Hartono is 18-9 overall and 11-3 at No. 1 singles, 5-3 in the SEC.
Quoting Head Coach Mark Beyers…
"Mississippi State has a very good team and it will be a tough match. It went down to the last court last year here and I expect another very tight match this year. The girls have been working hard in practice and we are looking forward to playing well tomorrow."
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.
