Hokies down SEC foe Missouri, 4-2

Tech rallies to win four singles matches

February 3, 2018

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women’s tennis team claimed four singles matches to down SEC foe Missouri 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.

Tech (3-0) fell behind after the doubles point, winning just one match with freshmen Nika Kozar and Nina Sorkin pairing up to defeat Mackenzy Middlebrooks and Ellie Wright 6-4.

Natalie Novotna, ranked 25th, got the Hokies on the board as she defeated Marta Oliveira 6-2, 6-1 on court one. Elena Cerezo-Codina pushed Tech into the lead with a win at three, defeating Wright 7-5, 6-2.

The Tigers (5-1) picked up a win at six to tie it up at two, but the Hokies went to work. Katherine Butler battled at five, winning 6-1 over Taylor Gruber in the first set. The Mizzou player responded, taking the second 4-6, but Butler held on in the third to win it in a close tiebreak 7-6(5).

Caroline Daxhelet clinched the win for the Hokies on court two. She rolled in the opening set, winning 6-1 against Serena Nash, but gave up the second 4-6. Daxhelet secured it with a tiebreak win in three 7-6.

The Hokies will be back on the court next Saturday, Feb. 10, traveling to Marshall for a 4 p.m. match

Singles
1. #25 Natalie Novotna (VT) def. Marta Oliveira (Mizzou) 6-2, 6-1
2. Caroline Daxhelet (VT) def. Serena Nash (Mizzou) 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5)
3. Elena Cerezo-Codina (VT) def. Ellie Wright 7-5, 6-2
4. Nika Kozar (VT) vs. Mackenzy Middlebrooks (Mizzou) 7-6(3), 5-7, 2-1 DNF
5. Katherine Butler (VT) def. Taylor Gruber (Mizzou) 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(5)
6. Clare Raley (Mizzou) def. Nina Sorkin (VT) 2-6, 7-5, 3-6
Order of finish: 1,3,6,5,2*

Doubles
1. Nash/Raley (Mizzou) def. Daxhelet/Novotna (VT) 6-4
2. Gruber/Ismail (Mizzou) def. Baron/Cerezo-Cordina (VT) 7-6
3. Kozar/Sorkin (VT) def. Middlebrooks/Wright (Mizzou) 6-4
Order of finish: 3,1,2*

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