NASHVILLE, Tenn. (9/22/24) – Arkansas State women's tennis capped a successful opening weekend of fall play on Sunday, closing out singles play at the Belmont/Lipscomb Invitational.
A-State picked up four more singles wins – two in straight sets from freshman Lily Cvanciger. Anna Grigoreva earned a 6-4, 6-3 win over East Tennessee State's Linge Steenkamp, while Cvanciger topped ETSU's Jana Rovira (7-5, 6-3) and Belmont's Anastasiya Zholdakova (6-2, 6-2). Sarah Millard also earned a win, defeating Belmont's Libbie Hamilton by a score of 6-2, 6-2.
"I'm very proud of my teammates and how we battled," Grigoreva said. "I missed our matches as a team, and I felt that we played at a high level this weekend. It was a great tournament for me and I'm so happy with my wins in singles. I'm so happy to get back to competing and can't wait for our next tournament. Go Red Wolves!"
Also in singles play against ETSU, Millard dropped a tough 6-3, 7-6 battle to Alessandra Caceres, while Carla Muro Castellvi fell 6-0, 6-2 to Ralitsa Alexandrova. Ariadna Fernandez (6-2, 6-1) and Loles Carbo Chova (6-1, 6-0) also lost in straight sets to Ksenija Rage and Julia Millan, respectively. Abigail Thurmer closed out the day dropping a match against Anoek Pruijmboom of North Alabama.
The Red Wolves totaled eight singles wins on the weekend along with four doubles wins, compared to just two singles victories and one in doubles at last season's tourney. Each player earned at least one win in both singles and doubles in the event.
A-State returns to action Friday and Saturday in Conway, Ark., competing at the UCA Invitational.
A-STATE AT THE BELMONT/LIPSCOMB FALL INVITATIONAL
Sept. 22, 2024 – Nashville, Tennessee
SINGLES
Round 2 – vs East Tennessee State
Anna Grigoreva def. Linge Steenkamp (ETSU) 6-4, 6-3
Lily Cvanciger def. Jana Rovira (ETSU) 7-5, 6-3
Alessandra Caceres (ETSU) def. Sarah Millard 6-3, 7-6
Ralitsa Alexandrova (ETSU) def. Carla Muro Castellvi 6-0, 6-2
Ksenija Rage (ETSU) def. Ariadna Fernandez 6-2, 6-1
Julia Millan (ETSU) def. Loles Carbo Chova 6-1, 6-0
Round 3 – vs Belmont/North Alabama
Lily Cvanciger def. Anastasiya Zholdakova (Belmont) 6-2, 6-2
Sarah Millard def. Libbie Hamilton (Belmont) 6-2, 6-2
Anoek Pruijmboom (UNA) def. Abigail Thurmer
