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Women's Tennis Rallies to 4-3 Win over UIC, Stays Undefeated
January 31 | Women's Tennis
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Head Coach Brandon Padgett Post-Match Video and Highlights
AKRON, Ohio – Ksenia Berestetska's last match on court singles win lifted Akron to a 4-3 victory over UIC on Friday afternoon at LaTuchie Tennis Center. The Zips, playing at home for the first time this season, improved to 6-0 versus dual-match competition.
Berestetska topped Ann-Sophie Hahn 6-2, 7-5 in the fourth flight to cap a UA comeback that erased a 3-1 deficit.
Same as they have done in their five previous outings this season, the Zips took a 1-0 lead after winning the doubles point. Olga Shkundina and Shannon Newnes defeated Hahn and Mariana Palacios 6-4 at No. 1, while Martina Zerbola and Madison Cohen got the better of Natalia Kuvakina and Veronica Lacerda 7-5 at No. 3. UIC was victorious at the No. 2 position, where Kathryn Sharples and Jana Knoppe bested Karolina Maksimava and Caroline Harpaintner, 6-1.
UIC (0-2) went on to claim points in order at Nos. 1, 5 and 3 singles to pull ahead 3-1 in the match score, but Akron earned wins in the remaining three flights, two in three sets, to clinch match point.
Playing through injury, Cohen downed Kuvakina 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (8) at No. 2 as did Newnes against Keti Mebuke 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (3) at No. 6 to set the stage for Berestetska's heroics.
Akron concludes a three-match homestand on Sunday by facing ASA Community College, from Brooklyn, N.Y., and Oakland at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, at LaTuchie Tennis Center in nearby Stow (driving directions).
Zips Notebook: Ksenia Berestetska had her second match-clinching victory of the season after doing the same in UA's 4-3 win at West Virginia on Jan. 17 ... Berestetska improved to 6-0 in singles play this season ... the Zips have defeated the Flames in consecutive meetings, having claimed a 7-0 decision in 2013 on a neutral court in Griffith, Ind. ... Olga Shkundina improved to 5-0 in doubles play ... the pair of Martina Zerbola and Madison Cohen bettered its record to 5-0 ... Akron has yet to lose the doubles point this season.
Akron 4, UIC 3
Doubles:
1. Olga Shkundina/Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Mariana Palacios/Ann-Sophie Hahn (UIC) 6-4
2. Kathryn Sharples/Jana Knoppe (UIC) def. Karolina Maksimava/Caroline Harpaintner (UA) 6-1
3. Martina Zerbola/Madison Cohen (UA) def. Natalia Kuvakina/Veronica Lacerda (UIC) 7-5
Singles:
1. Mariana Palacios (UIC) def. Olga Shkundina (UA) 2-6, ret. inj
2. Madison Cohen (UA) def. Natalia Kuvakina (UIC) 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (8)
3. Kathryn Sharples (UIC) def. Martina Zerbola (UA) 6-2, 6-1
4. Ksenia Berestetska (UA) def. Ann-Sophie Hahn (UIC) 6-2, 7-5
5. Jana Knoppe (UIC) def. Karolina Maksimava (UA) 6-4, 6-0
6. Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Keti Mebuke (UIC) 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (3)
Order of finish:
Doubles – 2, 1, 3
Singles – 1, 5, 3, 2, 6, 4
Team records:
Akron – 6-0
UIC – 0-2
Players Mentioned
