Box Score
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In the team’s first SEC match of the season, the University of Missouri (5-9, 0-1 SEC) lost to the No. 58 University of Arkansas (8-3, 1-0 SEC), 2-5.
Arkansas took the doubles point after winning the second and third matches. Gabriela Martinez & Ellie Wright slowed down No. 42 Tatum Rice & Morgan Cross in the first match and were able to hold their own until play was halted.
In singles competition, Martinez swept in her first set against Laura Rijkers. Rijkers took the second set, but Martinez battled back and won the match, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. Bronte Murgett challenged Rice and secured the first set as well. The first slot matchup went to a third set and Murgett locked in a win, 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-3). While the Tigers were unsuccessful in beating Arkansas, the team continued competing and put two points on the board even after the Razorbacks had clinched the match.
Coach Wootton’s Thoughts
Today was a day where we had to make a decision. “Are we going to give everything we have, every point, every game or not.” We made the decision to fight, every second of the day. The result is not what we were hoping for but the effort against a very good team is exactly the path to winning in the SEC. This was a moment that we embraced and was much better than our last road trip. We will continue to be vigilant in our adjustments and we will get better for our next match. This team is on a path to doing great things in the SEC and I can’t wait to see them in action again next weekend.
Mizzou continues SEC road action with a trip to No. 28 University of Kentucky. The Tigers are slated to face the Wildcats on Friday, March 11, at 11 a.m. CST.
Final Results
Doubles
No. 42 Rice/Cross (ARK) vs. Martinez/Wright (MU) – 5-0 (unfinished)
Stara/Rijkers (ARK) def. Ventura/Vazquez (MU) – 6-0
Keller/Sprink (ARK) def. Murgett/Schwarte (MU) – 6-0
Singles
Murgett (MU) def. Rice (ARK) – 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-3)
Keller (ARK) def. Wright (MU) – 7-5, 6-2
Spink (ARK) def. Schwarte (MU) – 7-5, 6-4
Stara (ARK) def. Ventura (MU) – 6-4, 6-4
Cross (ARK) def. Vazquez (MU) – 6-2, 6-2
Martinez (MU) def. Rijkers (ARK) – 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
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