Box Score The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's tennis team has a long-running non-conference rivalry with Middle Tennessee State University that continued today at the Baylor Courts in Chattanooga.  The Mocs posted an impressive 4-2 win over the Blue Raiders to improve to 9-3 overall.

These two teams have met every year since 1999, and MTSU won 13-straigth from 2000-12.  However, the Mocs have now posted victories in three of the last five, improving to 17-19 in the all-time series. 

This is a gigantic win," stated Chattanooga head coach Chad Camper. "I haven't been at UTC long and I don't know the tradition between UTC and Middle Tennessee State, but that is a great program and great facilities. 

"When I was at Louisiana Tech, they were in our conference, so I know that team really well.  We just stressed all week about being united and coming together."

The Mocs opened by taking the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3.  Junior Samantha Caswell and senior Rachele Gazzola improved to 6-3 in the top spot with a 6-1 win over Sarah Sediri and Luisa Zirilli. 

Sophomores Caroline Hall and Mckenzie Barco clinched the points with their 7-5 win over Maria Zehnder and Marta Peris.  Hall and Barco are now 4-4 at No. 3 doubles. 

"Winning the doubles point was crucial," added Camper.  "It allowed us to stay positive as we went into singles play."

MTSU quickly tied up the match at 1-1 with a win at No. 2. However, sophomore Sydney Patton put UTC back on top with a straight-set win over Peris at No. 4.  Patton continues to lead the team with a 9-1 record in the spring, including an 8-0 mark in the fourth spot. 

Chattanooga went up 3-1 when Caswell scored a (6-3, 6-4) win at No. 1 over Zehnder.  That left three matches on the court with the Mocs needing to claim one for the team win. 

Hall and Gazzola were both in three-set matches, while Barco was down a set and tied 5-5 in the second.  Two matches ended at almost the same time, with Gazzola falling at No. 5 and Hall clinching the team win at No. 3.   

It was the third win in a row for Hall, who improved to 9-2 in the spring.  She is now 7-1 at No. 3. 

"I am really proud of our win today," continued Camper.  "Most importantly, I am really proud of our fight."

Up next for the Mocs in the home Southern Conference opener against UNCG.  Action takes place at the Champions Club on Sunday, March 5 at 12:00 p.m. (E.S.T.). 

Chattanooga 4, MTSU 2
Feb 26, 2017 at Chattanooga, Tenn. (Baylor Courts)
Doubles competition
1. Samantha Caswell/Rachele Gazzola (UTC) def. Sarah Sediri/Luisa Zirilli (MTSU) 6-1
2. Constanza Magazzini/Lidia Burrows (MTSU) def. Sydney Patton/Delaney Edwards (UTC) 6-3
3. Caroline Hall/Mckenzie Barco (UTC) def. M. Zehnder/Marta Peris Herrero (MTSU) 7-5

Singles competition
1. Samantha Caswell (UTC) def. M. Zehnder (MTSU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Constanza Magazzini (MTSU) def. Delaney Edwards (UTC) 6-3, 6-4
3. Caroline Hall (UTC) def. Lidia Burrows (MTSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
4. Sydney Patton (UTC) def. Marta Peris Herrero (MTSU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Luisa Zirilli (MTSU) def. Rachele Gazzola (UTC) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
6. Mckenzie Barco (UTC) vs. Sarah Sediri (MTSU) 3-6, 5-5, unfinished

Match Notes
MTSU 4-8
Chattanooga 9-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,4,1,5,3)
MTSU was late for singles and received a game penalty in each match
T-2:41 A-35