Late surge lifts Virginia Tech past Arkansas in Las Vegas matches

LAS VEGAS — Arkansas built a 3-2 advantage but saw Virginia Tech record victories on the final two courts and grab a 4-3 win Saturday afternoon at the Lied Athletic Complex.

The match was an epic battle between two top 50 squads. The Razorbacks, who started off strong by winning the doubles point, fell behind in singles but secured victories on courts two and five.

Doubles

Arkansas did quick work in doubles for a 1-0 lead in the team scoring. No. 22 Tatum Rice and Lauren Alter registered a 6-1 win while Thea Rice and Laura Rijkers clinched their fourth doubles victory 6-3.

The duo of Kelly Keller and Jackie Carr saw their match vs. Elizabet Danailova and Nina Sorkin go unfinished as they trailed 5-3.

Singles

In singles, No. 114 Carr opened the scoring 6-0, 6-2 as she defeated Danailova in the No. 2 slot, putting the Razorbacks up 2-0.

Keller appeared at the No. 4 position for the first time this dual season. The Laguna Beach, Calif. native, fought hard but fell 0-6, 3-6, while Virginia Tech’s Sorkin defeated Alter on court three 6-7, 4-6, to equalize at 2-2.

Rijkers came through for Arkansas with a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5) win against Erika Cheng on court five to swing the momentum back in the Razorbacks’ favor.

Tatum Rice forced a third set and pushed Nina Kozar to the limit but ultimately fell 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in the No. 1 position. Thea Rice then dropped a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 4-6 decision as Chhinda Som clinched it for Virginia Tech.

Next matches

The Razorbacks will be back on the Hill for a doubleheader Feb. 15 to take on Missouri State at 10 a.m. and UAPB at 4 p.m.

Information from Razorback Sports Communications is included in this story.