The No. 16 Tennessee women’s tennis team was defeated by South Carolina, 4-1, Friday at the Carolina Indoor Tennis Center in Columbia.
The Lady Vols (8-3, 2-1 SEC) scored its only point of the dual match when Tenika MxGriffin downed Ayana Akli in three sets, 2-6, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 2 singles.
McGriffin is ranked No. 45 in the nation among singles players.
No. 59 South Carolina (7-5, 2-1 SEC) won the doubles point by sweeping two matches.
In addition to dropping the doubles point to the Gamecocks, Tennessee lost the first set in all singles matches.
McGriffin said the Lady Vols must improve as competition in SEC play continues.
“We’re in SEC season now and every match is going to be really tough,” McGriffin said. “Credit to South Carolina, they came out guns blazing and they were hungry today.
“Today was just one of those days when you had to get gritty. I wasn’t playing my best tennis, but I competed. I wanted to be out there all day, no matter how long it took.”
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