ELON, N.C. – In a tight match that was decided at the No. 1 singles position, Suzanne Zenoni's comeback in the deciding third set on the top court fell short as Elon University women's tennis fell to College of Charleston 4-3 on Sunday, April 7, at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.
 
After the Cougars won the doubles point to take the early advantage, the match would level up at 3-3 after the Phoenix picked up singles victories from Olivia Archer, Maria Paraja and Nicole Shiau. Zenoni battled back after trailing 4-1 in her third set at the deciding singles contest on court one. However, Christi Woodson prevailed to get the match clinching, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, victory at the No. 1 position.
 
The Phoenix falls to 11-11 overall and 5-5 at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center with the loss. College of Charleston improves to 13-9 overall with the victory.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
College of Charleston claimed the early 1-0 advantage after a battle in doubles action. After the Cougars cruised to a 6-1 win on court three, Uma Nayar and Nicole Shiau fought back to earn a 6-4 win on court two, leading the top court as the deciding doubles match. After an epic tiebreaker, CofC's Woodson and Anastasia Palaska prevailed with a 7-6 (9-7) victory over Elon's Maria Paraja and Alex Koniaev.
 
In singles action, Elon leveled the match right away as Archer earned a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win over Palaska on court three. The Cougars then responded to retake the lead as Turner Yates' win on court five gave CofC a 2-1 lead. College of Charleston then extended its lead to 3-1 with a victory from Lily LaBiche on court four, but Shiau picked up a two-set victory on court six to narrow the deficit to 3-2 with two singles matches remaining.
 
Seconds later, Paraja completed her three-set comeback win over Eva Nyikos at the No. 2 position 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 to tie up the match once again at 3-3, setting up court one as the deciding match. After fighting back to force a third set, Zenoni trailed 4-1 in the final set before fighting back to trim the deficit to 4-3 against Woodson. However, Woodson would hold off Zenoni for the 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win to clinch the victory for the Cougars.
 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix closes out the regular season on Sunday, April 14, hosting George Washington at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center. That match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
 
College of Charleston 4, Elon 3
Apr 7, 2019 at Elon, N.C. (Jimmy Powell Tennis Center)
 
Singles competition
1. Christi Woodson (COFC) def. Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
2. Maria Paraja (ELON) def. Eva Nyikos (COFC) 3-6, 6-0, 6-2
3. Olivia Archer (ELON) def. Anastasia Palaska (COFC) 6-2, 6-1
4. Lily LaBiche (COFC) def. Uma Nayar (ELON) 6-2, 2-6, 6-1
5. Turner Yates (COFC) def. Alex Koniaev (ELON) 6-4, 6-3
6. Nicole Shiau (ELON) def. Clara Errard (COFC) 7-6 (7-5), 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. Anastasia Palaska/Christi Woodson (COFC) def. Alex Koniaev/Maria Paraja (ELON) 7-6 (9-7)
2. Uma Nayar/Nicole Shiau (ELON) def. Clara Errard/Lily LaBiche (COFC) 6-4
3. Turner Yates/Sarah Zschunke (COFC) def. Suzanne Zenoni/Olivia Archer (ELON) 6-1
 
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,5,4,6,2,1)