Schuck, McGiffin Improve to 2-0 at Fall Classic

Saturday, September 23

Greenville, S.C.

All Day

University of Tennessee

Debbie Southern Fall Classic

September 23, 2017 | Women's Tennis

Updated Bracket

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A pair of Lady Vols improved to 2-0 in singles during the second day of the Debbie Southern Fall Classic at Furman's Mickel Tennis Center.

"Every coach wants to see their players follow up a good day of tennis with another one," head coach Alison Ojeda said. "That's exactly what we did today. I'm very excited to say that we are a little further along than I had thought we were coming into the tournament. With that said, we still have a long way to go."

Redshirt sophomore Gabby Schuck and freshman Tenika McGiffin both picked up their second win on the weekend and will compete for the flight final Sunday.

Schuck defeated Ohio State's Mary Beth Hurley, 6-2, 6-0, while McGiffin downed Gabby Goldin from Florida State, 6-2, 6-2.

"It's been awesome seeing the team out there competing again after about 150 days," said assistant coach Ty Schaub. "We have talked a lot the last few weeks about focusing on what you can control; things like our energy, intensity, body language and overall competitiveness out on the court. As a whole this weekend, I think we have been awesome in those aspects. If we continue to be great with what we can control, we will keep improving rapidly. Gabby has played the best tennis I have ever seen her play this weekend, this a huge testament to the work she put in all summer on court."

Freshman Chelsea Sawyer won her first collegiate match after Furman's Georgie Walker was forced to retire. Sawyer led that match 6-4, 2-1 when play was ended.

"Chelsea has shown our program that she is willing to fight through anything," said Ojeda. "Her will to succeed is going to be incredibly instrumental in her future."

Junior Sadie Hammond fell to Ole Miss' Anna Vrbenska, who is ranked 91^st in the country, in a hard-fought 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 match.

"Sadie really had a turning point today," Ojeda said. "I'm sure she will build on today. She's going to be a player to watch this spring and will lead our program to exciting places."

In doubles, Schuck and sophomore Ariadna Riley outlasted the duo of Petra Granic and Bojana Markovic from Texas, 8-6.

Play will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow with a round of singles to end the tournament.

For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee women's tennis program, follow @Vol_WTennis on Twitter.

Debbie Southern Fall Classic
Doubles
Riley/Schuck (UT) def. Granic/Markovic (Texas), 8-6
Smith/Contreras (VU) def. Hammond/McGiffin (UT), 8-4
Wolf/Ballinger (OSU) def. Silva/Sawyer (UT), 8-6
Jones/Oullett-Pizer (UNC) def. Riley/Schuck (UT), 8-2

Singles
Gabby Schuck (UT) def. Mary Beth Hurley (OSU), 6-2, 6-0
Tenika McGiffin (UT) def. Gabby Goldin (FSU), 6-2, 6-2
Chelsea Sawyer (UT) def. Georgie Walker (Furman), 6-4, 2-1 retired
No. 91 Anna Vrbenska (Ole Miss) def. Sadie Hammond (UT), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
Petra Hule (FSU) def. Ariadna Riley (UT), 5-2 retired
Danni Vines (Furman) def. Johanna Silva (UT), 7-5, 6-4