UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Sofiya Chekhlystova (Talinn, Estonia) came up huge in a third-set tiebreak to even the score at 3-3 and set up Samantha Smith (Cary, N.C.) to seal the deal in a 4-3 win against Michigan State. The Nittany Lions improve to 5-2 after defeating the Spartans for a second time this season.
Doubles
Penn State looked strong out of the gates after shuffling the doubles lineup.
Gabby O'Gorman (Gunnedah, N.S. Wales, Australia) and Karly Friedland (Hollywood, Fla.) made quick work of Samantha Memije and Nicole Stephens in a 6-2 victory.
Smith and Olivia Rohrbacher (Sandusky, Ohio) rode a hot start to earn a 6-3 win and clinch the doubles point for the Nittany Lions.
Chekhlystova and Alexandra Nielsen (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) trailed Mary Lewis and Jennifer Timontin by a score of 3-5 in a match that was left unfinished.
Singles
Michigan State evened the score at 1-1 as Nielsen lost to Stephens by a score of 2-6, 4-6.
After losing a tough tiebreak in the opening set, O'Gorman rebounded with a dominant performance in the next two sets against Lewis in a 6(7)-7, 6-0, 6-1 victory to reclaim the lead for the Nittany Lions.
The Spartans answered right back as Svarre was defeated by Lemonds in a back-and-forth 6-3, 6(9)-7, 2-6 match.
Michigan State proceeded to pull ahead as Friedland fell to Can 1-6, 3-6.
In a grueling match that lasted over two hours, Chekhlystova came up clutch with her back against the wall as she earned a 6(6)-7, 6-3, 7-6(7) victory.
Smith sealed the deal for the Nittany Lions by taking care of Timontin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1.
Up Next
The Nittany Lions will get back on the road to face Iowa on Friday, Mar. 5 and Nebraska on Sunday, Mar. 7.
Doubles Final
Gabby O'Gorman/Karly Friedland (PSU) def. Samantha Memije/Nicole Stephens (MSU) 6-2
Samantha Smith/Olivia Rohrbacher (PSU) def. Ayshe Can/Dagmar Zdrubecka (MSU) 6-3
Sofiya Chekhlystova/Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) vs. Mary Lewis/Jennifer Timontin (MSU) 3-5
Order of finish: 1,2
Singles Final
Gabby O'Gorman (PSU) def. Mary Lewis (MSU) 6(7), 6-0, 6-1
Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) def. Samantha Memije (MSU) 6(6)-7, 6-3, 7-6(7)
Lauren Lemonds (MSU) def. Frederikke Svarre (PSU) 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-2
Nicole Stephens (MSU) def. Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) 6-2, 6-4
Ayshe Can (MSU) def. Karly Friedland (PSU) 6-1, 6-3
Samantha Smith (PSU) def. Jennifer Timontin (MSU) 6-3, 6-1
Order of finish: 4,1,3,5,2,6
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