COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou tennis team opened its spring season with an impressive 7-0 sweep over Saint Louis on Friday night at the Mizzou Tennis Complex.
DOUBLES
The Tigers clinched the doubles point with wins a No. 2 and No. 3 against the Billikens. Juniors Serena Nash (Bradford, England) and Gabrielle Goldin (Bradenton, Fla.) got Mizzou started with a 6-1 victory over Mariluz Rojo and Alana Bourgeois. Sophomore Marta Oliveira (Lisbon, Portugal) and freshman Vivien Ábrahám (Budapest, Hungary) clinched the doubles point defeating Ariana Rodriguez and Alba Salinas, 6-3.
SINGLES
In singles action, sophomore Ellie Wright (Gainesville, Fla.) put the Tigers up 2-0 with a straight-set 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Ariana Rodriguez at No. 4 action. Minutes later, junior Mackenzy Middlebrooks (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was victorious over Ally McKenzie, 6-0, 6-3, at No. 2 singles to put Mizzou on top 3-0.
Nash clinched the Tiger team win at No. 1 singles, as she put away SLU's Cassie McKenzie, 6-3, 6-3, for a 4-0 Mizzou advantage.
At No. 3 singles, freshman Lisa Fukutoku (Tokyo, Japan), ranked 60th nationally, posted a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Ariana Rodriguez for a 5-0 Tiger lead. Abraham and Goldin added singles victories as well, at No. 5 and No. 6 play, respectively. Abraham notched a 6-2, 6-1 win over Alba Salinas, while Goldin defeated Alana Bourgeois, 6-3, 6-1.
QUOTABLES
Mizzou Head Coach Colt Gaston
"I thought we did a good job of coming out and playing the way we wanted to today. The first match of the season is always one where there will be some nerves, and I was very proud of the team for their energy and fight against a solid SLU team. We look forward to getting back to work next week and building from this match."
UP NEXT
Mizzou returns to the court on Saturday, Jan. 26 with a doubleheader at the Mizzou Tennis Complex. The Tigers host Southeast Missouri State at 1 p.m., followed by a match against Arkansas State at 5 p.m.
RESULTS
Doubles
1. Mackenzy Middlebrooks/Ellie Wright (MIZ) vs. Ally McKenzie/Cassie McKenzie (SLU), 5-3 unfinished
2. Vivien Ábrahám/Marta Oliveira (MIZ) def. Ariana Rodriguez/Alba Salinas (SLU), 6-3
3. Gabrielle Goldin/Serena Nash (MIZ) def. Mariluz Rojo/Alana Bourgeois (SLU), 6-1
Order of finish: 3,2
Singles
1. Serena Nash (MIZ) def. Cassie McKenzie (SLU), 6-3, 6-3
2. Mackenzy Middlebrooks (MIZ) def. Ally McKenzie (SLU), 6-0, 6-3
3. Lisa Fukutoku (MIZ) def. Mariluz Rojo (SLU), 6-1, 6-3
4. Ellie Wright (MIZ) def. Ariana Rodriguez (SLU), 6-1, 6-3
5. Vivien Ábrahám (MIZ) def. Alba Salinas (SLU), 6-2, 6-1
6. Gabrielle Goldin (MIZ) def. Alana Bourgeois (SLU), 6-3,
Order of finish: 4,2,1,3,5,6
