'CUSE MOVES ON!

Friday, May 13

Gainesville, Fla.

11 a.m.

Syracuse University

Georgia State University

5/13/2016 3:03:00 PM | Tennis

GAINESVILLE, Fla.- For the first time in program history, the No. 25 Syracuse women's tennis team is moving on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a 4-3 win over No. 46 Georgia State. The Orange will play either No. 1 Florida or South Carolina State tomorrow at 3 p.m. in Gainesville, Fla. at the University of Florida.

Despite trailing 3-2 late in the match, Syracuse (15-8) utilized singles victories from graduate student No. 61 Anna Shkudun and freshman Dina Hegab to prevail. Georgia State (15-6) took the doubles point and won two singles matches, but the Orange were able to get it done late to make history.

"The ladies showed a lot of grit and heart today. I thought fitness was the difference maker today," head coach Younes Limam said. "We look forward to another battle tomorrow and the opportunity to play for a sweet 16 spot."

After losing the first set 6-2 in top singles, Shkudun won the next two sets with the match locked at 3-3, delivering the victory for the Orange and a trip to the NCAA round of 32. Hegab tied up the match at three points apiece with two consecutive 7-6 victories.

The Panthers got things going in doubles play by taking two of the three matches. The Orange won the first match backed behind a dominant 6-0 win from sophomore Nicole Mitchell and freshman Maria Tritou, but dropped the next two. Despite coming into the match winners of their last five contests, No. 27 doubles duo Gabriela Knutson and Valeria Salazar were downed by Linn Timmermann and Tarani Kamoe 6-3. With doubles locked at one, Georgia State's Kristin Rehse and Niri Rasolomalala gave the Panthers a 1-0 advantage with a 7-5 victory over Hegab and Shkudun.

Daniela Ramirez made quick work of Maria Tritou to put the Panthers up 2-0, taking down the freshman in two straight sets by the final scores of 6-2, 6-0. Classmate Libi Mesh got Syracuse on the board for its first point moments later, defeating Kamoe in two sets 6-2, 6-4.

With the match at 2-1, No. 81 Knutson eventually tied it up by beating Rasolomalala 6-3, 7-5. Knutson improved to 17-5 on the year in singles with the win.

Georgia State went back up by one when it was Rehse defeating Salazar in two sets 7-5, 6-5. The Orange needed wins in each of their last two matches left, as Shkudun and Hegab came through in the clutch for the victory.

#25 Syracuse 4, #46 Georgia State 3

Singles:
1. #64 Anna Shkudun (SU) def. #114 Timmermann,Linn (GSU) 2-6, 7-6, 6-2
2. Rehse,Kristin (GSU) def. Valeria Salazar (SU) 7-5, 6-5
3. #82 Gabriela Knutson (SU) def. Rasolomalala,Niri (GSU) 6-3, 7-5
4. Ramirez,Daniela (GSU) def. Maria Tritou (SU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Libi Mesh (SU) def. Kamoe,Tarani (GSU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Dina Hegab (SU) def. Vovk,Lara (GSU) 7-6, 7-6

Doubles:
1. Timmermann,Linn/Kamoe,Tarani (GSU) def. #27 Valeria Salazar/Gabriela Knutson (SU) 6-3
2. Rehse,Kristin/Rasolomalala,Niri (GSU) def. Dina Hegab/Anna Shkudun (SU) 7-5
3. Nicole Mitchell/Maria Tritou (SU) def. Ramirez,Daniela/Vovk,Lara (GSU) 6-0

Match Notes:
Georgia State 15-5; National ranking #46
Syracuse 15-8; National ranking #25
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,5,3,2,6,1) NCAA First Round Match
T-3:39

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