Elon Women’s Tennis Singles Comeback Stuns Charleston, 4-3

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Erica Braschi completed the Elon University women’s tennis team’s rally from a 3-0 deficit, coming back from 3-4 and 4-5 deficits in her decisive third set at No. 2 singles to clinch a 4-3 Phoenix victory over the College of Charleston on Monday, March 21, at the CofC Tennis Center at Patriots Point.

Elon (7-9) trailed 3-0 in the match after the Cougars (12-8) clinched the doubles point and won the first two singles points. Olivia Lucas began a Phoenix comeback battling from a first set defeat to win 1-6, 7-5, 6-0 to get Elon on the board. Maria Paraja secured Elon’s second point at No. 6 and Suzanne Zenoni tied the match up at 3-3 with a win on court four.

The match would come down to Braschi’s third set senior Katherine Schofield at No. 2 singles. Trailing 3-4 and 4-5 in her final set, Braschi pulled off a gutsy 7-5 win and clinched the 4-3 victory for the Phoenix.

“This was a huge win for us,” said head coach Elizabeth Anderson. “Our energy level, team effort and belief in each other really helped make this comeback possible. It was a tough contest against a very good Charleston team. I respect them and appreciate their class during the match. A high level of tennis was showcased from both sides and it was good see us come through with the win.”

HIGHLIGHTS
The Cougars took the doubles point, earning victories on all three courts and taking a 1-0 lead in the match. Charleston claimed court one 6-3 and clinched the point with a 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles. The No. 3 match was played out, but the Cougars earned the win in a tight 7-6 (7-5) decision.

In singles play, College of Charleston got on the board first with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles to extend its lead 2-0 in the match. The Cougars extended its lead to 3-0 with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles.

The Phoenix would begin its comeback as Lucas responded battling back for a 1-6, 7-5, 6-0 victory at No. 1 to put the Phoenix on the board. Maria Paraja earned Elon’s second singles point, cutting into CofC’s lead 3-2 with a 6-0, 7-6 win at No. 6 singles. Suzanne Zenoni’s 7-6, 6-3 victory at No. 4 against Charleston’s singles wins leader, Mara Argyriou, tied the match a 3-3. The match would come down to Braschi’s third and final set at No. 2 singles.

After winning the first set and falling in the second, Braschi came back from 3-4 and 4-5 deficits in her third set to defeat Schofield 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

NOTES
– Erica Braschi won her sixth consecutive singles match with her 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win at No. 2 singles against Katherine Schofield.

– She improves her overall dual match singles record to 10-4 this season. Braschi’s 10 singles wins are a team-high.

– Braschi has now won 10 or more singles matches in two consecutive seasons. The sophomore finished with a 13-4 record last season as a freshman.

UP NEXT
Elon hosts Delaware at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center next week on Thursday, March 31, for a 2 p.m. match.

Tennis Match Results
Elon vs Col. of Charleston
Mar 21, 2016 at Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
(CofC Tennis Center at Patriots Point)
Elon 4, Col. of Charleston 3

Singles competition
1. Olivia Lucas (ELON) def. Liza Fieldsend (COFCW) 1-6, 7-5, 6-0
2. Erica Braschi (ELON) def. Katherine Schofield (COFCW) 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
3. Brooke McAmis (COFCW) def. Natalia Janowicz (ELON) 6-3, 6-2
4. Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) def. Mara Argyriou (COFCW) 7-6 (7-0), 6-3
5. Helena Nyikos (COFCW) def. Taylor Casey (ELON) 6-2, 6-1
6. Maria Paraja (ELON) def. Sarah Jane Jones (COFCW) 6-0, 7-6 (7-2)

Doubles competition
1. Katherine Schofield/Mara Argyriou (COFCW) def. Kirsten Ward/Natalia Janowicz (ELON) 6-3
2. Brooke McAmis/Helena Nyikos (COFCW) def. Erica Braschi/Taylor Casey (ELON) 6-4
3. Liza Fieldsend/Sarah Zschunke (COFCW) def. Olivia Lucas/Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) 7-6 (7-5)

Match Notes:
Elon 7-9
Col. of Charleston 12-8
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,5,1,6,4,2)
T-3:44
A-41