Lady Bulldog Tennis Falls To Vandy in SEC Opener, 7-0

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mississippi State's women's tennis team (2-5, 0-1 SEC) dropped a tough 7-0 decision in Nashville to 10^th ranked Vanderbilt (7-2, 1-0 SEC) in their opening bout of SEC competition.

"Some of our girls are still figuring out ways to compete against players on top teams like Vanderbilt," coach Daryl Greenan said. "We just have to get everyone on board to compete harder and learn from each match."

Starting with doubles play, the Commodores took the early point from MSU as Lauren Mira and Keilly Ulery of Vandy took down State's pair of Roseline Dion and Vivian Pietraroia on court 3, 8-3. In the second position, the Commodore duo of Chelsea Pregg and Jackie Wu ousted Lady Bulldogs Mariia Ryzhova and Olesya Tsigvintseva 8-3.

Competing for Mississippi State on court 1 was the Alexandra Perper and Danielle Terpko tandem. Perper and Terpko hung on to a close 5-5 battle but Vandy's 52^nd ranked duo of Rachael Dillon and Alex Leatu overpowered the Lady Bulldogs 8-5.

Vandy never let up after doubles action as they took the first three victories in the singles line-up to clinch the match. On court 5, Pietraroia fell to Dillon in two sets 6-0, 6-2. Competing at the sixth position for the Lady Bulldogs was Dion where she dropped a two-set decision to Nelly Radeva of Vanderbilt 6-2, 6-2. The match clincher came on court 2 where Wu of the Commodores took down Ryzhova in two sets 6-2, 6-1.

Terpko battled for MSU in the third spotted but Vandy's Preeg proved too much as she ousted Terpko 6-1, 6-1. Tsigvintseva battled 115^th ranked Mira of Vandy but eventually fell after retiring from the match in the second set 6-3, 3-2.  Perper occupied the top spot for Mississippi State where she was retired in two sets 6-2, 6-4 by 80^th ranked Leatu of the Commodores.

The Lady Bulldogs are back in action on Sunday, March 6, in Lexington as they take on the Wildcats of Kentucky. Match time is slated for 10:00 a.m. CT at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center.

Live stats will be available at www.mstateathletics.com

Mississippi State 0, #10 Vanderbilt 7
3/4/2011 - NASHVILLE, Tenn. Currey Tennis Center

DOUBLES -
No. 1 - #52 Rachael Dillon/ Alex Leatu (VU) def. Alexandra Perper/Danielle Terpko (MSU) 8-5
No. 2 - Chelsea Preeg/Jackie Wu (VU) def. Mariia Ryzhova/Olesya Tsigvintseva (MSU) 8-3
No. 3 - Lauren Mira/Keilly Ulery (VU) def. Roseline Dion/Vivian Pietraroia (MSU) 8-3

SINGLES -
No. 1 - #80 Leatu (VU) def. Perper (MSU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 2 - Wu (VU) def. Ryzhova (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
No. 3 - Preeg (VU) def. Terpko (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 4 - #115 Mira (VU) def. Tsigvintseva (MSU) 6-3, 3-2 (retired)
No. 5 - Dillon (VU) def. Pietraroia (MSU) 6-0, 6-2
No. 6 - Nelly Radeva (VU) def. Dion (MSU) 6-2, 6-2

Order of finish... Doubles (3,2,1) Singles (5,2,6,3,4,1)