Wake Forest University
Tulsa
Deacons Sweep Tulsa, Win in Doubles Over Nationally-Ranked Illinois During Day One of Blue Gray Classic
2/24/2023 7:35:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Things were clicking on all cylinders for Wake Forest throughout Friday!
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Looking to start on a strong note in the 75th annual Blue Gray National Tennis Classic, Wake Forest women's tennis (6-5, 0-1) did just that on Friday (Feb. 24). After a weather delay led to the cancellation of doubles against the University of Tulsa (7-4, 1-0), the Demon Deacons routed the Golden Hurricanes in singles, leading to a 4-0 victory.
The sweep was Wake Forest's third of the 2023 spring campaign.
Later in the evening, Wake Forest again took the courts to face No. 32 Illinois in the semifinal round. The Deacs continued to display some serious grit, finishing on top in doubles for the match's opening point. The freshman duo of Nevena Carton/Whitley Pate came up clutch to clinch the decision in an up-for-grabs, tiebreaker fashion. Additionally, Mia Ahmad/Casie Wooten won their fifth straight doubles showing.
The day's action then concluded for Wake Forest, as singles competition against Illinois is scheduled to begin on Saturday morning (Feb. 25) at 9 a.m. ET.
Singles – How it Happened (vs. Tulsa)
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After a 90-minute weather delay, courts began to open up, with singles play firstly taking place.
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Fresh off a major ranked individual victory, Anna Brylin grabbed her opening pair of games in second singles.
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Nevena Carton, Maddie Lynch, and Whitley Pate each held a narrow 3-2 advantage through the first five games in their respective first sets.
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Brylin, meanwhile, went up 4-2 on court two.
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Lynch quickly took three games in a row, cruising to a 6-2 first-set win.
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The senior was the first player within the match to surge past an opening singles frame.
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Carton became the second Deac to win a set (6-3), followed by Brooke Killingsworth on a 7-5 clip.
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Hanging on through rallies, Pate escaped her first frame on a tiebreaker finish.
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Five of six Deacons captured set wins to open singles play.
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Brylin and Carton jumped out in set two with major leads each before the two ultimately completed sweeps, giving Wake Forest a 2-0 lead in the match.
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In first singles, a motivated Casie Wooten refused to let up a game during second-set action, forcing a third period (3-6, 6-0).
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Pate enjoyed a likewise dominance, sweeping her foe in the second to up the Deacon lead to 3-0.
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Killingsworth kept competitive in her second frame (3-2).
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Lynch put an end to things with a comfortable straight-sets performance, giving Wake Forest the match clinch.
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The Deacs swept Tulsa, 4-0.
Singles Results (vs. Tulsa):
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No. 39 Casie Wooten (WF) vs. Laia Conde Monfort (UT) 3-6, 6-0, 1-1, unfinished.
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No. 49 Anna Brylin (WF) def. Maria Berlanga Bandera (UT) 6-4, 6-0
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Brooke Killingsworth (WF) vs. Lily Hutchings (UT) 7-5, 3-2, unfinished.
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Nevena Carton (WF) def. Myroslava Zelenchuk (UT) 6-3, 6-0
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Whitley Pate (WF) def. Amy Leather (UT) 7-6 (2), 6-0
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Maddie Lynch (WF) def. Ana Naranjo Martinez (UT) 6-3, 6-3
Order of Finish: 4, 2, 5, 6
Doubles Results (vs. Tulsa):
Did not occur due to a weather delay.
Doubles – How it Happened (vs. No. 32 Illinois)
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Down a game early on, Mia Ahmad/Casie Wooten worked their way into a come-from-behind effort.
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The junior pair only let up one further game in the midst of tallying an impressive 6-4 victory.
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Ahmad/Wooten have now won five doubles matches consecutively.
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Illinois won a ranked matchup in first doubles.
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The final pair in action, Nevena Carton/Whitley Pate created even scores before a tiebreaker was reached.
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Clawing back from down 5-3 and going toe-for-toe against the Fighting Illini until the very end, Carton/Pate finished victorious in a 7-6 (6) final mark, giving Wake Forest the doubles point.
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It was the first time this season that the Deacs had won in doubles over a nationally-ranked opponent.
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Double Results (vs. No. 32 Illinois)
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No. 31 Katherine Duong/Megan Heuser (ILL) def. No. 20 Anna Brylin/Brooke Killingsworth (WF) 3-6
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Mia Ahmad/Casie Wooten (WF) def. Josie Frazier/Emily Casati (ILL) 6-4
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Nevena Carton/Whiltey Pate (WF) def. Ashley Yeah/Violeta Martinez (ILL) 7-6 (6)
Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3
From the Head Honcho
"I was very pleased with the solidness of our effort this morning," said head coach Jeff Wyshner. "We sat around having to wait for the courts to dry, had to start with singles, and we didn't let it faze us at all. Sets were close midway through the first sets, and everyone dug in to play disciplined tennis, as we started to pull away. It was a good start to the tournament.
"Against Illinois, it was an exciting doubles point. Casie and Mia were great – they played from 3-2 down and took charge. Whitley and Nevena also trailed, 5-3, and just showed great toughness for two freshmen in that spot. They held off a match point in the tiebreaker too. The doubles point helps us going into tomorrow, but it's not the same momentum as when you roll into singles after just five minutes of break time. We'll have to crank ourselves back up tomorrow morning."
Up Next
Wake Forest has a quick turnaround on deck, returning to start singles competition against Illinois on Saturday morning (Feb. 25) at 9 a.m. ET.
Team Stats
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
4,2,5,6
Players Mentioned
