Mississippi State Women’s Tennis Team Off to Stellar Start

Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University News

Mississippi State women's tennis team competing in a match

News Summary

The Mississippi State women’s tennis team begins the 2025 season with an impressive 8-0 record after a successful doubleheader on February 7. The Bulldogs defeated Memphis 4-2 and shut out Alcorn State 7-0, showcasing strong performances from the team. Head coach Chris Hooshyar praised the players for their resilience and teamwork despite facing injury challenges. As they prepare for upcoming matches against South Alabama and Mississippi Valley State, the excitement among fans is high for what the talented Bulldogs will achieve next.

Mississippi State Women’s Tennis Team Starts Season on a High Note

In a thrilling start to the 2025 season, the Mississippi State women’s tennis team has kicked things off with an impressive 8-0 record, marking their best start since the 2020-21 season. This exciting achievement came after a doubleheader on February 7, where the Bulldogs showcased their skills against Memphis and Alcorn State.

A Fantastic Doubleheader

The day was packed with action as the Bulldogs faced off against Memphis first, securing a solid victory with a score of 4-2. Following that, they brought the heat against Alcorn State, delivering a memorable performance that resulted in a stunning 7-0 shutout. With these back-to-back wins, the team’s record now stands at a phenomenal 8-0, while their opponents Memphis and Alcorn State are struggling with records of 1-6 and 3-6, respectively.

Coaching Perspective

The team’s head coach, Chris Hooshyar, expressed his utmost pride in the Bulldogs’ resolve and progress this season. Despite facing challenges, particularly with a few injuries in the squad, the players have shown remarkable resilience and teamwork. It’s encouraging for both the coach and the fans alike to witness the growth they’ve shown on the court.

Highlight Reel: Players Shine

Star player Jayna Clemens played a crucial role in leading the team to victory against Memphis, praising her teammates for their collective mental strength and growth throughout the matches. Her insights resonate with the team’s overall improvement and the solid foundation they have built this season.

Diving into Match Details

Against Memphis, the Bulldogs kicked off with a competitive doubles round:

Gianna Oboniye and Athina Pitta triumphed with a score of 6-3 against Emily Meyer and Alyssa Richter.
In a tight match, Alice Amendola and Clemence Thouard from Memphis took down Maria Rizzolo and Alessia Tagliente from Mississippi State, scoring 6-3.
Lastly, Jayna Clemens and Chiara Di Genova clinched victory with a score of 6-4 against Leonie Moeller and Sofia Mykhailets.

Singles matches featured dynamic performances, especially from Gianna Oboniye and Jayna Clemens, who shined brightly and contributed crucial points to the overall win.

Later that day against Alcorn State, it was evident that the Bulldogs meant business:

Gianna Oboniye and Athina Pitta completely dominated their match, winning 6-0 against Nikita Liyanage and Natalija Nikolic.
Maria Rizzolo and Alessia Tagliente mirrored that performance, also winning 6-0 against Doaa Mohamed and Aanya Rao.
Even more impressively, Jayna Clemens and Chiara Di Genova finished with a commanding 6-0 win over Oihane Villanueva Lopez and Ozi-Oiza Josephine Yakubu.

What’s Next for the Bulldogs?

As the buzz settles from this remarkable doubleheader, fans can look forward to the next matches on February 21, where the Bulldogs will face off against South Alabama and Mississippi Valley State. These upcoming matches will be critical as they prepare to open their Southeastern Conference play.

The excitement around Mississippi State women’s tennis is palpable, and it’s certainly a thrilling time to be a Bulldogs fan. With their current momentum, who knows what these talented athletes will achieve next?