DECATUR, Ga. - For the first time this season, the Agnes Scott College tennis team was able to secure the critical advantage in doubles, and it proved the difference in a 5-4 upset of Oglethorpe University (2-3). The Scotties (1-3) pick up two wins apiece from Anne Rinaldo, Maddie Hoffman, and Claire Rinaldo, who evened her record at the top spot with a three-set win over Oglethorpe #1 Caroline Johnson, giving the Scotties the victory with her 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 win.
The doubles team of Hoffman and Taylor Lee, who have been the standouts for the Scotties this season in doubles, raised their season record to 3-1 with a resounding 8-2 win at the #2 spot to give the Scotties the early advantage. The Stormy Petrels would quickly respond with a win at #3 doubles to even the match at 1-1. At the top spot, the Rinaldos struggled early, falling behind 5-2 and love-40 on Anne Rinaldo's serve, but the senior co-captain responded with some clutch serving to get the team back into the match, and the sisters would rally from behind to win, 9-7, over Johnson and Katherine Walker of Oglethorpe.
"Anne and Claire did a great job of keeping their composure tonight," indicated head coach T.J. Greggs. "They have had two close losses this season, but they didn't let themselves get down when they fell behind. I am proud of them for stepping up and leading our young team in this match."
Entering singles, the Scotties had the momentum, but Oglethorpe raced out to first set wins at the #2, 4, 5, and 6 spots, to put the Scotties' backs against the wall. Claire Rinaldo and Anne Rinaldo would both win tight first sets to keep the Scotties in the contest. Oglethorpe would race to wins at the #5 and #6 spot, giving them a 3-2 lead in the match. However, the Scotties were not done.
Anne Rinaldo would pick up a win at the #3 spot, taking out Marcail McGranahan, 7-6(3), 6-1, which leveled the match at 3-3. Hoffman, who dropped the first set against Walker, 3-6, figured out her opponent's strategy and turned the tables in the next two sets, racing through the match at #2, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 with a consistent performance, putting the Scotties one match from their first team victory of the young season.
Lee, playing at the #4 spot, lost a tight first set, but responded with a tiebreak win in the second set. Claire Rinaldo would drop her second set around the same time, leaving the Scotties needing to win one of the two final sets to clinch the match. After a marathon game at 2-2 in the third, Rinaldo would finally close out the game and roll through the next three games to take her match and give the Scotties the win. Lee would fall in three, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2 in a strong battle with Ingrid Wilcox, making the final score 5-4 in favor of the Scotties.
"I've been talking to the team about how important the doubles would be today," continued Greggs, "and our top two teams really stepped up their games tonight. Oglethorpe is a very good team."
The Scotties will return to action on Sunday, March 8, when they travel to #14 Sewanee, their second Top 15 opponent of the season. The match will begin at 1:00 p.m.
Agnes Scott 5, Oglethorpe 4
#1 Doubles A. Rinaldo/C. Rinaldo (ASC) d. Johnson/Walker (OU) 9-7
#2 Doubles Maddie Hoffman/Taylor Lee (ASC) d. McGranahan/Hafen (OU) 8-2
#3 Doubles Wilcox/Sickling (OU) d. Camille Wilson/Anastasia Bennett (ASC) 8-3
#1 Singles Claire Rinaldo (ASC) d. Caroline Johnson (OU) 7-5, 4-6, 6-2
#2 Singles Maddie Hoffman (ASC) d. Katherine Walker (OU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
#3 Singles Anne Rinaldo (ASC) d. Marcail McGranahan (OU) 7-6(3), 6-1
#4 Singles Ingrid Wilcox (OU) d. Taylor Lee (ASC) 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2
#5 Singles Mary Anne Hafen (OU) d. Camille Wilson (ASC) 6-2, 6-0
#6 Singles Halley Sickling (OU) d. Nikki Langford (ASC) 6-1, 6-3
