STARKVILLE – The second day of the third-annual John Cade Invitational saw Mississippi State stack up seven more victories in women’s tennis.
Dharani Niroshan, Maria Rizzolo, Ava Rath, Athina Pitta and Alessia Tagliente all earned singles victories for the Bulldogs while Pitta and Alexandra Mikhailuk picked up two more singles wins via walkovers due to injuries to their opponents.
Niroshan and Tagliente also tacked on an 8-5 doubles triumph over Louisville’s Ibifuro Clement and Elena Noguero in the West Semifinals. Niroshan and Tagliente will have a shot to claim that bracket title on Sunday at 9 a.m. when they take on Germany Davis and Jamilah Snells of the Cardinals.
Chris Hooshyar‘s squad has accumulated 11 wins during its lone home event of the fall and will close out the tournament with a round of doubles starting Sunday at 9 a.m. and a round of singles beginning at 11 a.m. at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
Niroshan’s singles victory on Saturday afternoon came against Louisville’s Lillian Mould 6-3, 6-1 in the quarterfinals of the Maroon East section of the bracket. Rizzolo also won in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 over Ana Rodrigues of Louisiana Tech in the White East quarterfinals while Rath battled back against Elena Noguero of the Cardinals 3-6, 6-4, 1-0[8] in the White West quarterfinals.
Tagliente also rallied to top Lilly Schulz of North Texas 6-7(3), 7-5, 1-0[9] in an extra singles match played inside the Rula Tennis Pavilion.
John Cade Invitational
A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre/ Rula Tennis Pavilion | Starkville, Miss.
Oct. 28, 2023
Doubles
West Semifinals
Dharani Niroshan/Alessia Tagliente (MSU) def. Ibifuro Clement/Elena Noguero (Louisville) 8-5
North Semifinals
Carolina Laydner/Stanislava Shulzhenko (North Texas) def. Alexandra Mikhailuk/Athina Pitta (MSU) 8-7(4)
South Semifinals
Lou Chalard/Olivia Malm (North Texas) def. Chloé Cirotte/Maria Rizzolo (MSU) Walkover [inj.]
South Final
Lou Chalard/Oliva Malm (North Texas) def. Jayna Clemens/Ava Rath (MSU) 8-2
Singles
Maroon East Quarterfinals
Dharani Niroshan (MSU) def. Lillian Mould (Louisville) 6-3, 6-1
Andrea Nova (Ole Miss) def. Jayna Clemens (MSU) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(4)
Maroon East Semifinals
Andrea Nova (Ole Miss) def. Dharani Niroshan (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
Maroon West Quarterfinals
Ibifuro Clement (Louisville) def. Alexandra Mikhailuk (MSU) 7-5, 1-6, 1-0[5]
Maroon North Semifinals
Lilliam Mould (Louisville) def. Jayna Clemens (MSU) 7-5, 6-2
Maroon South Semifinals
Alexandra Mikhailuk (MSU) def. Marina Adati (North Texas) Walkover [inj.]
White East Quarterfinals
Maria Rizzolo (MSU) def. Ana Rodrigues (Louisiana Tech) 6-3, 6-1
Lika Persypkina (Louisville) def. Athina Pitta (MSU) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
White East Semifinals
Reka Zadori (Ole Miss) def. Maria Rizzolo (MSU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
White West Quarterfinals
Ava Rath (MSU) def. Elena Noguero (Louisville) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0[8]
White North Semifinals
Athina Pitta (MSU) def. Kelsey Mize (Ole Miss) Walkover [inj.]
Extra Match
Alessia Tagliente (MSU) def. Lilly Schultz (North Texas) 6-7(3), 7-5, 1-0[9]
For more information on the Bulldog women’s tennis program, visit HailState.com or search for “HailStateWT” on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.