Tennis Defeated by Louisville in Homestand Finale

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall's five-match homestand came to a close Friday with a 5-2 loss to the Louisville Cardinals at the Huntington Tennis Club. Marshall dropped its third straight match and fell to 2-4, while Louisville improved to 8-0 this season.

"Louisville came in here and played with a lot of confidence, especially in crunch time," head coach John Mercer said.

Marshall's doubles play struggles continued, as Louisville raced out to an early 1-0 lead in the match. Liz Stefancic and Matilde Mulatero were defeated by Raven Neely and Nikolina Jovic, 6-3, while Madi Ballow and Victoria Walter lost to Aleksandra Mally and Chloe Hamlin, 6-2. Marshall's pair of Anna Smith and Daniela Dankanych defeated Sena Suswam and Diana Wong in the other doubles match, 6-3.

Louisville quickly extended its lead to 2-0 when Hamlin defeated Ballow in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Dankanych brought the Herd within 2-1 after defeating Suswam in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, but Mally defeated Walter at the top position, 6-2, 6-3, to increase Louisville's lead back to two, 3-1. Smith cut Marshall's deficit to 3-2 after defeating Neely in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2.

"Anna and Dani played really well today and had some good wins," Mercer said. "Our doubles played better today as well."

Jovic, Louisville's lone ranked player, clinched the match win for the visiting Cardinals with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 three-set win over Stefancic. Mulatero fell to Wong in the final match of the evening, 6-2, 6-1.

"Today we made progress, and that's what we're looking forward to as the season goes on," Mercer said

RESULTS
Singles
1. Alexandra Mally (Louisville) def. Victoria Walter (Marshall); 6-2, 6-3
2. Anna Smith (Marshall) def. Raven Neely (Louisville); 7-5, 6-2
3. Daniela Dankanych (Marshall) def. Sena Suswam (Louisville); 6-2, 6-4
4. No. 114 Nikolina Jovic (Louisville) def. Liz Stefancic (Marshall); 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Chloe Hamlin (Louisville) def. Madi Ballow (Marshall); 6-3, 6-2
6. Diana Wong (Louisville) def. Matilde Mulatero (Marshall); 6-2, 6-1
Order of finish: 5,3,1,2,4,6
Doubles
1. Nikolina Jovic/Raven Neely (Louisville) def. Liz Stefancic/Matilde Mulatero (Marshall); 6-3
2. Anna Smith/Daniela Dankanych (Marshall) def. Sena Suswam/Diana Wong (Louisville); 6-3
3. Aleksandra Mally/Chloe Hamlin (Louisville) def. Madi Ballow/Victoria Walter (Marshall); 6-2
Order of finish: 1,3,2

UP NEXT
Marshall hits the road for the first time since its season opener when it plays at Virginia Tech Sunday. First serve from the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center is set for 4 p.m.

FOLLOW THE #HERDFAMILY
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Tennis Defeated by Louisville in Homestand Finale

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Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Madi Ballow

Daniela Dankanych

Matilde Mulatero

Anna Smith

Liz Stefancic

Victoria Walter