TCU Women’s Tennis Loses At No. 14 Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The TCU women’s tennis team saw its three-match winning streak come to an end Sunday with a 5-2 setback at No. 14 Alabama.

The Crimson Tide improved to 10-2 on the year, while 32nd-ranked TCU dropped to 7-4. Alabama won for the fourth time in four meetings all-time against the Horned Frogs.

“Today was a little disappointing with the doubles,” TCU coach Dave Borelli said. “It’s only one point, but the significance of winning the doubles point is that it can really help with momentum, especially on the road. We had the doubles point won and just flat out blew it. We had match points at No. 3 and a big lead at No. 2. To be a top-20 program, you have to step up and win those close matches.”

Alabama opened the match with wins on all three doubles courts to take a 1-0 lead. No. 18 Alexa Guarachi and Courtney McLane picked up an 8-3 decision over TCU’s 59th-ranked duo of Millie Nichols and Olivia Smith from the top court.

At No. 3 doubles, Taylor Lindsey and Yasmine Ebada won the point-clinching match over Gaby Mastromarino and Simona Parajova. The 9-7 defeat was the first of the season for the Frog duo. No. 68 Mary Anne Macfarlane and Antonia Foehse added a 9-7 win of their own over Federica Denti and Kelsey Sundaram at No. 2 doubles.

The Tide extended its lead to 2-0 when Mastromarino was forced to retire at No. 6 singles. Alabama’s Alex Clay snapped Denti’s four-match winning streak and made it 3-0 in favor of the home team with a 6-4, 6-2 win. McLane’s 6-4, 6-4 win over Smith at No. 3 singles clinched the match for Alabama.

TCU got on the board at the No. 5 singles spot as Nichols picked up her first singles win since Jan. 29, a 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (8) decision over Lindsey. Freshman Stefanie Tan provided TCU’s second point with the biggest win of her young career, a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 1-0 (5) triumph over No. 23 Macfarlane at No. 1 singles.

“I was really happy with Stefanie beating the No. 23 player in the country,” Borelli said. “That was the high point of the day and a great positive, as well as Millie winning her match.”

The Frogs return to action Wednesday with a 4 p.m., match at No. 39 Florida State. While on spring break, TCU is in the midst of four-straight matches on the road.

 

MATCH RESULTS – #14 Alabama 5, #32 TCU 2

SINGLES

No. 1 – Stefanie Tan (TCU) def. #23 Mary Anne Macfarlane (Alabama), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 1-0 (5)

No. 2 – #57 Alexa Guarachi def. Simona Parajova (TCU), 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (8)

No. 3 – Courtney McLane (Alabama) def. Olivia Smith (TCU), 6-4, 6-4

No. 4 – Alex Clay (Alabama) def. Federica Denti (TCU), 6-4, 6-2

No. 5 – Millie Nichols (TCU) def. Taylor Lindsey (Alabama), 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (8)

No. 6 – Emily Zabor (Alabama) def. Gaby Mastromarino (TCU), 7-5, 3-0, ret.

DOUBLES

No. 1 – #18 Alexa Guarachi/Courtney McLane (Alabama) def. #59 Millie Nichols/Olivia Smith (TCU), 8-3

No. 2 – #68 Mary Anne Macfarlane/Antonia Foehse (Alabama) def. Federica Denti/Kelsey Sundaram (TCU), 9-7

No. 3 – Yasmine Ebada/Taylor Lindsey (Alabama) def. Gaby Mastromarino/Simona Parajova (TCU), 9-7