BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech women's tennis (10-9, 1-8) was narrowly edged by No. 30 Clemson (15-7, 3-6), 4-3.
The Hokies and Tigers were neck and neck from the start with multiple close matches in doubles. Dariya Radulova and Katie Andreini were one point away from defeat, down 5-2, but reeled off five straight games to take the match, 7-5. Erika Cheng and Özlem Uslu kept things close on court two but were unable to pull away, conceding the doubles point to the Tigers.
Semra Aksu got Tech on the board after junior Jenna Thompson placed her return just outside the line to seal the straight set victory, 6-3, 6-2. With their backs against the wall, down 3-1, Uslu delivered a much needed win on court one in a three set affair, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Dariya Radulova got Tech even with a spirited performance to earn her first ranked win of the season against No. 74 Daniella Medvedeva, 7-5, 6-4.
This set the stage for the all-important third set to decide the match on court two. Tamara Barad Itzhaki rallied to tie it up at 5-5 after being down 3-0, but lost the deuce point after the ball bounced just out of reach as she clipped the back drop to end the match.
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The Hokies will honor their seniors, Lily Hackbirth, Kirsten Husted and Sophie Mitchell on Sunday, April 2 at noon against No. 20 Georgia Tech.