The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Cleveland State
Women's Tennis Moves Past Cleveland State 6-1, Improves to 5-0
January 25 | Women's Tennis
Follow Akron Tennis on Twitter and Facebook
WESTLAKE, Ohio – The University of Akron women's tennis team improved its season-opening win streak to five matches behind a 6-1 road victory over Cleveland State on Saturday night at Paramount Tennis Club.
The Zips (5-0) claimed the doubles point with a win at two of the three flights, then were victorious at five of six singles positions on the way to their sixth-straight decision over the Vikings (0-2).
In doubles, Olga Shkundina and Shannon Newnes defeated Kara Sherwood and Alex Bush 6-3 at No. 1, while Martina Zerbola and Madison Cohen downed Mathilde Orange and Ellen Folkers 7-5 at No. 2. At No. 3, Cleveland State's Princess Gbadamosi and Alex Power got the best of Ksenia Berestetska and Karolina Maksimava, 6-1.
On the singles courts, Shkundina took down Gbadamosi 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (1) at No. 1, Cohen defeated Power 7-6 (3), 6-2 at No. 3, Berestetska topped Bush 7-5, 6-3 at No. 4, Maksimava overcame Orange 6-2, 1-6, 1-0 (8) at No. 5 and Newnes got past Ellen Folkers 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (6) at No. 6.
Cleveland State earned its lone point at No. 2 singles, where Sherwood bested Zerbola in three sets, 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (5).
"This was a difficult match to watch today, based on the mental struggles that we saw," Akron head coach Brandon Padgett said. "It is a process with such a young team and we will continue to get better."
The Zips have a three-match homestand next weekend at LaTuchie Tennis Center in nearby Stow (driving directions). On Friday, Jan. 31 at 1 p.m., they take on Illinois-Chicago and on Sunday, Feb. 2 face ASA Community College, from Brooklyn, N.Y., and Oakland at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
Zips Notebook: Akron has defeated Cleveland State in seven of the last eight meetings and owns a 25-3 record in the all-time series ... all five of the Zips' matches thus far this year have been on the road ... UA opened the 2011-12 season by winning 12 straight and 14 of its first 15 contests ... Olga Shkundina improved to 4-0 at both No. 1 singles and doubles ... Ksenia Berestetska is 5-0 in singles play (3-0 at No. 4).
Akron 6, Cleveland State 1
Doubles:
1. Olga Shkundina/Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Kara Sherwood/Alex Bush (CSU) 6-3
2. Martina Zerbola/Madison Cohen (UA) def. Mathilde Orange/Ellen Folkers (CSU) 7-5
3. Princess Gbadamosi/Alex Power (CSU) def. Ksenia Berestetska/Karolina Maksimava (UA) 6-1
Singles:
1. Olga Shkundina (UA) def. Princess Gbadamosi (CSU) 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (1)
2. Kara Sherwood (CSU) def. Martina Zerbola (UA) 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (5)
3. Madison Cohen (UA) def. Alex Power (CSU) 7-6 (3), 6-2
4. Ksenia Berestetska (UA) def. Alex Bush (CSU) 7-5, 6-3
5. Karolina Maksimava (UA) def. Mathilde Orange (CSU) 6-2, 1-6, 1-0 (8)
6. Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Ellen Folkers (CSU) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (6)
Order of finish:
Doubles – 3, 1, 2
Singles – 1, 3, 4, 2, 5, 6
Team records:
Akron – 5-0
Cleveland State – 0-2
Players Mentioned
