The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Spartan Invitational @ Michigan State
Tennis Advances Four to Singles Semis in Day One of Spartan Invite
September 23 | Women's Tennis
Spartan Invitational Day One Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The University of Akron tennis squad advanced four players to the semifinal round of their respective singles bracket, while two of its doubles teams moved themselves into the quarterfinals of flight A on Friday in day one of the Spartan Invitational at Michigan State.
In flight A singles, UA's Zara Harutyunyan (ranked preseason 118th by the ITA) scored a 6-2, 6-2 win over UIC's Elisa Sominetti and a 6-3, 6-3 decision over Anna Dushkina of Purdue to position herself in Saturday's semifinal. Angelika Jogasuria also posted two victories in flight A, downing Louisville's Stefanie Villajuan 6-2, 6-4 and IPFW's Brooke Dennis 5-7, 6-3, 6-1.
Olga Shkundina, who replaced Prang Pantusart in the Zips' weekend lineup due to illness, won her opening round A singles contest 6-3, 6-0 over Mariya Kovaleva of UCI, but lost to Louisville's Rebecca Shine 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the quarters.
In flight C singles, Natalia Kuvakina and Ksenia Berestetska advanced themselves into tomorrow's semifinal round. Kuvakina topped Purdue's Kay Kay Magi 6-1, 6-0 and IPFW's Frederique Sunstrum 6-2, 6-2. Berestetska got the best of Louisville's Gabrielle Duncan 6-3, 6-3 and UIC's Linda Hricistova 5-7, 7-5, 6-0.
In flight B singles, Angelina Jogasuria, Angelika's identical twin, won her opening round match over UIC's Jana Knoppe 6-4, 6-2, but lost to Purdue's Gisella Pere 7-6 (8-6), 6-8.
In flight A doubles, Harutyunyan and Shkundina earned an 8-6 victory over Gillian Hush and Ali Dawson of Marquette, and the Jogasuria sisters defeated Michigan's Sarah Lee and Kristen Dodge 9-8 (6).
In flight B doubles, Kuvakina and Berestetska teamed up and suffered a 9-8 (3) loss to Michigan State's Olga Chernova and Jennifer Yen.
"Overall, we played well," second-year Akron head coach Brandon Padgett said. "Having three new doubles teams today made for some interesting matches, but we played well, highlighted by the twins' win over a good Michigan team."
Competition at the three-day event resumes tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
