UALR Women’s Tennis Drops Heartbreaker to Troy, 4-3

Courtesy University of Arkansas at Little Rock Athletics Department

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – In the battle of the Trojans at Burns Park Saturday afternoon (Feb. 2), Troy (1-0, 1-0 Sun Belt) slipped by UALR (3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) 4-3 thanks to a tie-breaker at second doubles. 

“It has been long time since we have been able compete with Troy and being only two points away from winning the entire match is heartbreaking,” head coach Abby Wilson said. “This match was encouraging and we are only going to improve this season.”

Freshman Kamilla Galieva led the way for the Trojans, picking up wins in both singles and doubles play. Galieva won at fifth singles 6-4, 6-0 before teaming up with sophomore Dané Vorster for the 8-7 (5) win at third doubles.

UALR and Troy both won three matches in singles play. Besides Galieva’s victory, senior Veronique Luksich picked up a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win at first singles against Troy’s Karoline Grymel.

Grymel was an All-Conference performer last season.

“Veronique beat one of the best players in the Sun Belt Conference today and I am so proud of her. She has worked extremely hard and deserves this great win,” Wilson said.

Sophomore Michaela McShane came out victorious at sixth singles, 6-4, 6-3. 

Troy won at 2nd-4th singles. Hannah Toro knocked off junior Viktoriya Plyuta at second singles in a pair of 6-2 sets. Lyubova Dorofeeva defeated senior Yana Kakovkina at third singles 6-2, 6-3 while Anja Cosovic upended Vorster 6-4, 6-0 at fourth singles. 

With Kavkovkina and Plyuta losing 8-3 at first doubles, the match came down to second doubles. Troy’s Cosovic and Toro won the tie-breaker 7-5 as they beat McShane and Luksich 8-7 (5). 

UALR returns to action in a week when it hosts North Alabama at Burns Park in North Little Rock. Match time is 11 a.m.