Mizzou Forces a Strong Performance from No. 29 Tennessee

COLUMBIA, Mo. – In a hard fought battle, the University of Missouri (6-16, 1-8 SEC) could not secure a point against No. 29 Tennessee (11-6, 5-4 SEC), dropping the match 4-0 on Sunday morning.

Mizzou narrowly lost the doubles point, making Tennessee work for every match. Bronte Murgett and Gabriela Martinez challenged No. 13 Daria Kuczer and Tenika McGiffin, being down just 5-4 before the match was declared unfinished. Each Missouri doubles pair locked in four games against their respective Tennessee opponents.

In singles competition, the top three spots were closely contested as Bronte Murgett, Ellie Wright and Elys Ventura took on ITA-ranked players. Murgett faced No. 44 Mertena, dominating the first set then allowing Mertena to isolate the match. Wright was slated to play No. 37 McGiffin, taking the first set to seven games and forcing one of McGiffin’s top performances. Ventura’s match against No. 88 Tomase looked similar, with the competition going to seven games in the first set, but the odds ultimately not falling in Mizzou’s favor. 

“Best all around performance of the year today. We came together as a unit and every player on and off the court knew their role and performed at a high level” said head coach Chris Wootton. “We are holding a high level and I look forward to going to Mississippi next week and getting two more SEC wins! We played an all around great team today and learned a great deal from their persistence on court. We are getting tougher and we will be difficult to beat the rest of the year!”

The Tigers head back on the road to play No. 51 Ole Miss and No. 61 Mississippi State next weekend on Friday, April 8, and Sunday, April 10. 

Final Results

Doubles

No. 13 Kuczer/McGiffin (TEN) vs. Murgett/Martinez (MU) – 5-4, unfinished

Mertena/Adeshina (TEN) def. Ventura/Schwarte (MU) – 6-4

 Tomase/Duckworth (TEN) def. Wright/Cardenas (MU) – 6-4

Singles

No. 44 Mertena (TEN) vs. Murgett (MU) – 1-6, 6-1, 5-2, unfinished

No. 37 McGiffin (TEN) def. Wright (MU) – 7-5, 6-3

No. 88 Tomase (TEN) def. Ventura (MU) – 7-6 (7-1), 6-2

Adeshina (TEN) vs. Schwarte (MU) – 7-5, 3-6, 2-2, unfinished 

Kuczer (TEN) vs. Martinez (MU) – 6-3, 5-3, unfinished

Molinaro (TEN) def. Cardenas (MU) – 6-2, 6-1