The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Toledo
Women's Tennis Falls 5-2 to Toledo in MAC Opener
March 21 | Women's Tennis
Follow Akron Tennis on Twitter and Facebook
Head Coach Brandon Padgett Post-Match Video and Highlights
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's tennis team gave up a 5-2 decision to Toledo in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools on Friday afternoon indoors at LaTuchie Tennis Center.
After falling behind 3-0 due to a loss of the doubles point and straight-set wins by Toledo (10-3, 1-0 MAC) at Nos. 5 and 6 singles, Akron (9-7, 0-1 MAC) pulled to within 3-2 with straight-set victories at the first and third singles flights.
The Rockets claimed match point when Emily Mazzola defeated Shannon Newnes 7-5, 2-6, 6-7 at No. 4 singles. With the contest already decided, UT secured its fifth point with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 win at No. 2 by Pia Rygh over Karolina Maksimava.
UA earned its points at No. 1, where Olga Shkundina downed Chrissy Coffman 6-2, 7-6 (4), and No. 3, where Ksenia Berestetska got the best of Katelyn Nguyen 6-1, 6-4.
Toledo claimed a hard-fought doubles point, with wins at the second and third flights. UT's Nguyen and Rygh won 8-2 at No. 2 versus Berestetska and Maksimava, while the Rockets' team of Mackenzie Bowman and Lauren Thai overcame a comeback attempt from Martina Zerbola and Madison Cohen at No. 3 to win 8-7 (2). With the early point already clinched, UA's Shkundina and Newnes won 8-7 (3) at No. 1 over Mazzola and Lexy Pitt. Shkundina and Newnes trailed early and rallied for the victory.
Akron continues league competition by playing host to Eastern Michigan tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET at LaTuchie Tennis Center in nearby Stow (driving directions).
Zips Notebook: UA's No. 1 doubles teams of junior Olga Shkundina and freshman Shannon Newnes improved its record to 8-2 this season ... after nursing an injury for much of the dual-match schedule, Olga Shkundina competed in singles for the first time since a March 8 doubleheader against Butler and Duquesne ... Zips' senior Ksenia Berestetska improved her dual-match singles record to 13-1.
Toledo 5, Akron 2
Doubles:
1. Olga Shkundina/Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Emily Mazzola/Lexy Pitt (UT) 8-7 (3)
2. Katelyn Nguyen/Pia Rygh (UT) def. Ksenia Berestetska/Karolina Maksimava (UA) 8-2
3. Mackenzie Bowman/Lauren Thai (UT) def. Martina Zerbola/Madison Cohen (UA) 8-7 (2)
Singles:
1. Olga Shkundina (UA) def. Chrissy Coffman (UT) 6-2, 7-6 (4)
2. Pia Rygh (UT) def. Karolina Maksimava (UA) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
3. Ksenia Berestetska (UA) def. Katelyn Nguyen (UT) 6-1, 6-4
4. Emily Mazzola (UT) def. Shannon Newnes (UA) 7-5, 2-6, 6-7
5. Lexy Pitt (UT) def. Martina Zerbola (UA) 6-2, 6-2
6. Mackenzie Bowman (UT) def. Caroline Harpaintner (UA) 6-1, 6-2
Order of finish:
Doubles – 2, 3, 1
Singles – 6, 5, 3, 1, 4, 2
Team records:
Akron – 9-7, 0-1 MAC
Toledo – 10-3, 1-0 MAC
Players Mentioned
