The sixth-ranked Georgia women's team hosted the Missouri Tigers today as part of an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Kick-Off Weekend. The match was the first between Mizzou and UGA, but will not be the last as the Tigers start SEC play next year.
The Bulldogs took the doubles point with wins by Chelsey Gullickson/Nadja Gilchrist 8-1 and Kate Fuller/Lauren Herring 8-3. Lilly Kimbell and Maho Kowase were leading the third doubles match 7-4 when it was suspended after the first two spots decided the point.
Gullickson took care of business at the number one court by defeating Mizzou's Nina Pantic 6-2, 7-5, followed by Gilchrist's win over Alex Clark at number three 6-2, 6-3. The Tigers got on the board at the number 4 spot when Rachel Stuhlmann won her match against Kowase 6-3, 6-2. With the match score at 3-1, Herring clinched a Bulldog victory at number two by besting Maria Christensen 6-2, 6-3. With the match in hand, Kimbell extended Georgia's advantage to 5-1 by defeating Annemijn Koenen 6-0, 7-6. Mizzou's Jamie Mera battled valiantly against Georgia's Fuller in a tie of one set apiece, 6-3, 3-6. Since it was the final contest, the outcome of which would not change UGA's triumph, the tie was broken in a single game, which Fuller won 1-0, bringing the final score between the teams to 6-1 in Georgia's favor.
Earlier today, the ITA Kick-Off Weekend pitted Fresno State against Florida International. FIU won the match 4-2 for the chance to play Georgia at 2:00 tomorrow, with the winner qualifying for the ITA National Team Indoor Championships to be held 10-13 February at UVA.
The Kick-Off fun continues Sunday and Monday, as your #4 UGA men's team plays host to a trio of visitors. Georgia starts off against TCU at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, 29 January 2012, with the winner facing either Nebraska or VPI on Monday, 30 January, also at 2:00 p.m. Be sure to check back for updates as the weekend progresses, and
GO DAWGS!