STARKVILLE, Miss. – Jax State women's tennis came just short of upsetting SEC foe Mississippi State on the road on Friday afternoon. The Gamecocks battled in each singles flight but fell by the slimmest of margins in Starkville.
 
"Today was one of those days where we were very close to doing something special," Jacksonville State head coach Mike Mucci said. "We came within a few games of beating an SEC team for the first time in program history. There are no moral victories for us, but today was evidence of the potential we have as a group."
 
Like last Sunday's match at Tennessee State, Jacksonville State (1-1) once again claimed a one-point advantage through doubles competition. The tandems of Irene Artigas/Polina Ramenskaja and Anna Syrova/Ella Tuomela picked up 6-4 victories to put their squad on top.
 
Mississippi State (4-0) bounced back in singles action. They overtook a 3-1 advantage in the match after winning a trio of singles flights before sophomore Ella Tuomela recorded an exhilarating 7-6 (10-8), 6-1, triumph. Romane Mosse fell behind early but fought back, forcing a decisive third set in the second singles flight, but could not close it out. MSU's Gia Cohen tallied a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, win against the second-year Gamecock to secure the match victory. Though Polina Ramenskaja netted a 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, decision over no. 61 Maria Rizzolo to tighten up the score, Jacksonville State still suffered a narrow defeat in the Magnolia State.
 
Friday's slim loss still shows massive improvement from last season, as the Gamecocks had lost 7-0 at Mississippi State last January. In addition, the three points garnered against the Bulldogs are the first for Jax State versus a "Power 5" opponent since prior to the 2007-08 season.
 
Both of Jacksonville State's tennis teams will return to play against Lee (Tenn.) on Wednesday at home. Those matches, which serve as the program's home opener, will begin at 1 p.m. at the JSU Tennis Courts.
 
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Twitter (@JaxStateTN), Instagram (@JaxStateWTennis), and Facebook (Jacksonville State University Tennis) accounts. 

Tennis Match Results
JSU vs MSU
1/20/2023 at Starkville, Miss. (Rula Tennis Pavilion)
MSU 4, JSU 3
 
Singles Competition

1. Emma Antonaki (MSU) def. Serafima Shastova (JSU) 7-6 (8-6), 6-1
2. Gia Cohen (MSU) def. Romane Mosse (JSU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
3. Alexandra Mikhailuk (MSU) def. Anna Syrova (JSU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Chloe Cirotte (MSU) def. Dariana Prato (JSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Polina Ramenskaja (JSU) def. #61 Maria Rizzolo (MSU) 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
6. Ella Tuomela (JSU) def. Dharani Niroshan (MSU) 7-6 (10-8), 6-1
 
Doubles Competition

1. Emma Antonaki/Gia Cohen (MSU) def. Romane Mosse/Serafima Shastova (JSU) 6-0
2. Irene Artigas/Polina Ramenskaja (JSU) def. Alexandra Mikhailuk/Maria Rizzolo (MSU) 6-4
3. Anna Syrova/Ella Tuomela (JSU) def. Chloe Cirotte/Dharani Niroshan (MSU) 6-4