Women's Tennis Tallies Six Match Wins Friday Afternoon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kicking off its fall slate of tournaments, the Belmont University women's tennis team put together a solid afternoon at the Beaman Family Tennis Complex on the opening day of the Belmont/Lipscomb Fall Invite. The Bruins won six of their eight combined matches, earning victories in all three doubles matches and picking up a trio of singles wins in a hidden dual.
 
Taking on Arkansas State in doubles play, Belmont swept the Red Wolves before taking three of five singles matches against Ball State.
 
The tandem of sophomore Mariia Hlahola and junior Anastasiya Zholdakova pulled out a tiebreaker, 7-5, while the freshmen duo of Vesa Gjinaj and Hana Sokolovic won a hard-fought 7-5 set. Junior Aly Getty and sophomore Libbie Hamilton teamed up and cruised to a convincing 6-1 triumph.
 
In singles action, Hlahola, Gjinaj and Sokolovic outlasted their opponents in three sets. Both Hlahola and Gjinaj bounced back from first set losses and won back-to-back sets to close things out. Sokolovic prevailed in a competitive 6-4 decisive third set.
 
The Bruins' complete results from Friday can be found below.
 
The Cardinals of Ball State are the two-time defending Mid-American Conference Tournament champions.
 
Doubles
Mariia Hlahola/Anastasiya Zholdakova (Belmont) def. Sarah Millard/Nejla Zukic (Arkansas State) 7-6 (5)
Vesa Gjinaj/Hana Sokolovic (Belmont) def. Rebecca Brody/Yasmine Humbert (Arkansas State) 7-5
Aly Getty/Libbie Hamilton (Belmont) def. Abigail Thurmer (Arkansas State) 6-1
 
Singles
Mariia Hlahola (Belmont) def. Annika Planinsek (Ball State) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1
Vesa Gjinaj (Belmont) def. Elena Malykh (Ball State) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
Hana Sokolovic (Belmont) def. Sydney Hrehor (Ball State) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
Isabele Tanjuatco (Ball State) def. Libbie Hamilton (Belmont) 6-4, 3-6, 6-0
Sarah Shahbaz (Ball State) def. Aly Getty (Belmont) 6-2, 6-1
 
Belmont faces nearby rival Lipscomb Saturday morning in doubles before playing Arkansas State in singles during the early afternoon. All of the Bruins' matches Saturday will take place at the Beaman Family Tennis Complex at the Crockett Center for Athletic Excellence.
 
Belmont/Lipscomb Fall Invite Schedule
 
Saturday, Sept. 16
Doubles – 10 a.m.
Arkansas State vs. Ball State (at Lipscomb)
Belmont vs. Lipscomb (at Belmont)
 
Singles – 1 p.m.
Ball State vs. Lipscomb (at Lipscomb)
Belmont vs. Arkansas State (at Belmont)
 
Sunday, Sept. 17
Doubles – 9 a.m.
Lipscomb vs. Arkansas State (at Lipscomb)
Belmont vs. Ball State (at Belmont)
 
Singles – 10 a.m.
Arkansas State vs. Ball State (at Belmont)
Lipscomb vs. Belmont (at Lipscomb)
 
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