No. 35 Alabama Earns Third Blue-Gray National Tennis Classic Title on Saturday – University of Alabama Athletics

MONTGOMERY, Ala. –  The Alabama women’s tennis team defeated No. 24 Illinois (4-1) and No. 22 Texas Tech (4-2) on Saturday to win the Blue-Gray National Tennis Classic for the first time since 2015.

The Crimson Tide (9-1) concluded round two with a 4-1 victory over No. 24 Illinois, which advanced Alabama into the championship round where the team defeated No. 22 Texas Tech, 4-2. 

The Tide opened the day rounding out singles play against Illinois, which included victories on courts one, two and three. Petra Sedlackova defeated Violeta Martinez in straight-sets (6-3, 6-4), while Loudmilla Bencheikh and Anne Marie Hiser each won in three sets, respectively. Bencheikh defeated Megan Heuser, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 as Hiser outlasted Kathryn Treiber, 6-2, 0-6, 6-3, to propel Alabama into the championship round.  

Despite dropping the doubles point against Texas Tech, Alabama secured four victories in singles play, highlighted by Priya Nelson’s, 7-5, 7-6(5) win against First Last Name to clinch the victory for the Tide. Ola Pitak defeated Metka Komac, 6-3, 7-6(6), while Klara Milicevic beat Andreea Alexandra Lila, 6-1, 6-1. Although falling behind in set one, Bencheikh battled to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 over Cristina Tiglea.

With three-straight wins over ranked opponents, Alabama improves to 9-1 before beginning Southeastern Conference play on March 1.

Tournament History

• 2023, Alabama defeated No. 22 Texas Tech, 4-2
• 2015, Alabama defeated Texas Tech, 4-1
• 2014, Alabama defeated Rice, 4-3

Up Next

• Alabama begins Southeastern Conference play on March 1 versus Vanderbilt
• The match begins at 3 p.m. CT at the Alabama Tennis Facility 

Results
Singles vs. No. Illinois

1. #31 Loudmilla Bencheikh (UA) def. Megan Heuser (Illinois), 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
2. #79 Petra Sedlackova (UA) def. Violeta Martinez (Illinois), 6-3, 6-4
3. Anne Marie Hiser (UA) def. Kathryn Treiber (Illinois), 6-2, 0-6, 6-3
4. McKenna Schaefbauer (Illinois) vs. Ole Pitak (UA), Unfinished
5. Josie Frazier (Illinois) def. Anna Parkhomenko (UA), 6-2, 6-3
6. Kida Ferrari (Illinois) vs. Klara Milicevic (UA), Unfinished 

Doubles vs. No. 22 Texas Tech

1. Avelina Sayfetdinova/Metka Komac (TTU) def. #37 Loudmilla Bencheikh/Anne Marie Hiser (UA) 7-6 (7-5) 
2. Cristina Tiglea/Mariya Polishchuk (TTU) def. Petra Sedlackova/Anna Parkhomenko (UA) 6-4 
3. Ola Pitak/Klara Milicevic (UA) vs. Jermine Sherif/Andreea Lila (TTU) 6-5, Unfinished

Singles vs. No. 22 Texas Tech

1. #31 Loudmilla Bencheikh (UA) def. Cristina Tiglea (TTU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 
2. Mariya Polishchuk (TTU) def. #79 Petra Sedlackova (UA) 6-1, 6-1 
3. Anne Marie Hiser (UA) vs. Avelina Sayfetdinova (TTU) 4-6, 6-4, 1-5, Unfinished 
4. Ola Pitak (UA) def. Metka Komac (TTU) 6-4, 7-6 (0-6) 
5. Klara Milicevic (UA) def. Andreea Lila (TTU) 6-1, 6-3 
6. Priya Nelson (UA) def. Jermine Sherif (TTU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)

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– UA –