Miami Falls Short To No. 18 USC

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Miami women’s tennis team fell 4-2 to No. 18 USC in the first round of ITA Kickoff Weekend.

USC started strong to open the match. The No. 29 ranked Parker Fry and Grace Piper defeated Isabella Pfennig and Leonie Schuknecht, 6-3, on court two. USC then clinched the doubles point, 6-2, from No. 10 Erin Cayetano and Emma Charney over Alexa Noel and Xinyi Nong on court one.

When play was halted, Antonia Balzert and Audrey Boch-Collins were up 5-2 over Lily Fairclough and Naomi Cheong on court three.

The Trojans kept the momentum going and took back-to-back courts. No. 83 Cayetano defeated Nong, 6-0, 7-5, on court five, while No. 66 Piper secured the win over Schuknecht, 6-3, 6-4, on court four.

Miami stepped up and took consecutive courts to inch forward. No. 81 Boch-Collins took down Fairclough, 6-4, 6-2 on court six and No. 25 Noel defeated No. 33 Han, 6-2, 6-3, at the top court, but still trailed 3-2.

No. 90 Pfennig battled with No. 22 Charney on court two, but ultimately fell 6-2, 7-5, with USC clinching the win.

Balzert went to three sets with No. 42 Cheong, with the score being 6-3, 1-6, 3-4 on court three when play was halted.

The Hurricanes will compete in the consolation match tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET against the winner of Tennessee or Vanderbilt.