Wake Forest University
South Carolina
Deacs Show Out in Saturday Doubleheader
2/5/2022 6:38:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Casie Wooten picked up a ranked win against South Carolina.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Holding a focus on protecting its home court, Wake Forest women's tennis (4-2) refused to cool down during Saturday afternoon (Feb. 5), taking down South Carolina in a 4-3 statement victory before dominating Campbell University for a 7-0 sweep.
It was the first time since 2006 that the Demon Deacons had defeated the Gamecocks. No. 58 Casie Wooten led the way with a ranked win over No. 118 Megan Davies.
Another special note included Anna Brylin moving up to a 5-0 record in solo play this season.
Match #1 - Wake Forest 4, South Carolina 3
The standout pairing of No. 2 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth dominated in doubles, not letting up a game (6-0). Shortly afterward, No. 15 Casie Wooten/Samantha Martinelli sealed the first team point with a 6-3 decision. Saby Nihalani/Peyton Pesavento went unfinished in an even match (4-4).
Splitting out of doubles, three ranked matchups in singles. took over the indoor tennis center. After winning fourth singles, the Gamecocks evened the match score at 1-1. Brylin and Killingsworth were the first two Deacs to capture wins in singles, getting off to a quick start. Anna Campana fell right in the mix during her opening frame, securing a 6-3 win. After staying heady for a 7-5 win, Casie Wooten came up big down the stretch of her second set, holding on for a 6-4 finish that clinched the victory for Wake Forest.
The Campana sisters, Carolyn and Anna, fell in singles to No. 2 Sarah Hamner and No. 28 Ayana Akli of South Carolina, respectively.
Doubles Results
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No. 2 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth (WF) def. Misa Malkin/Sarah Hamner (SC) 6-0
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No. 15 Casie Wooten/Samantha Martinelli (WF) def. Ayana Akli/Megan Davies (SC) 6-3
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Peyton Pesavento/Saby Nihalani (WF) vs. Kendall Couch/Ana Cruz (SC) 4-4, unfinished.
Order of Finish: 1, 2
Singles Results
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No. 2 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. No. 35 Carolyn Campana (WF) 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-3
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No. 28 Ayana Akli (SC) def. No. 75 Anna Campana (WF) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
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No. 58 Casie Wooten (WF) def. No. 118 Megan Davies (SC) 7-5, 6-4
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Elise Mills (SC) def. Samantha Martinelli (WF) 6-0, 6-3
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Anna Brylin (WF) def. Misa Malkin (SC) 6-1, 6-1
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Brooke Killingsworth (WF) def. Ana Cruz (SC) 6-3, 6-2
Order of Finish: 4, 5, 6, 2, 3, 1
Match #2 - Wake Forest 7, Campbell 0
During doubles, each of the Deacs' three duos immediately got in a good rhythm. Making their second season appearance, Mia Ahmad and Maddie Lynch went first in notching a doubles win (6-1) before No. 2 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth followed up with a 6-1 decision of their own. No. 15 Casie Wooten/Samantha Martinelli were also on pace to finish on top (4-2) before their match was cut short.
After winning her first set in a sweep, Casie Wooten mirrored the same during her second, putting the cap on an exceptional, individual day. Her fellow teammates jumped on their opponents quickly as well. Wake Forest's players never trailed during set two, as Ahmad, Brylin, Martinelli, and Pesavento all completed their match victories around the same time within the late afternoon. The Deacs then gathered to cheer on Saby Nihalani, and it wasn't long before the senior ended her two-set performance to mark the team's second 7-0 sweep of the season.
Doubles Results
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No. 2 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth (WF) def. Rhona Cook/Mialy Ranaivo (CU) 6-1
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No. 15 Casie Wooten/Samantha Martinelli (WF) vs. Marissa Pennings/Anna-Marie Kopecka (CU) 4-2, unfinished.
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Mia Ahmad/Maddie Lynch (WF) def. Mariana Ossa/Sandra Gines (CU) 6-1
Order of Finish: 3, 1
Singles Results
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No. 58 Casie Wooten (WF) def. Mialy Ranaivo (CU) 6-0, 6-0
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Anna Brylin (WF) def. Marissa Pennings (CU) 6-1, 6-1
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Samantha Martinelli (WF) def. Rhona Cook (CU) 6-1, 6-3
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Saby Nihalani (WF) def. Anna-Marie Kopecka (CU) 6-2, 6-3
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Peyton Pesavento (WF) def. Sandra Gines (CU) 6-2, 6-0
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Mia Ahmad (WF) def. Mariana Ossa (CU) 6-2, 6-1
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3, 6, 5, 4
From the Head Honcho
"Today was a very strong day for us," said head coach Jeff Wyshner. "We played our best doubles point of the year when we needed it, and singles was just a battle. It was exciting to see Casie be able to close out that clinching match as a sophomore going up against a fifth-year senior. South Carolina is one of the most respected programs in the country, so you know you accomplished something when you get a win such as that one."
Up Next
Wake Forest will have to wait for two weeks before its next match - being back at home for another doubleheader on Feb. 19, hosting Furman University and North Carolina Central.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,2
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
4,5,6,2,3,1
Players Mentioned
