Women's Tennis Falls to Tulane, 4-3

Saturday, January 17

10 am

University of Akron

Tulane

January 17 | Women's Tennis

HIGHLIGHTS

AKRON, Ohio— The University of Akron women's tennis team opened the spring portion of its schedule with a 4-3 loss to Tulane on Saturday at the LaTuchie Tennis Center.

"Tough loss today, but I am extremely proud of the effort displayed," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "It came down to two freshmen to close it out, but it was not to be. Today was great for development, and we needed a tough match like this to get the season started."

In singles action, sophomore Karolina Maksimava (Mogliev, Belarus) beat Nicky Stracar, 6-2, 6-1, at first singles. At No. 4 singles, senior Olga Shkundina (Ufa, Russia) returned to action with a 6-4, 6-0, win over Vanessa Nommensen. Sophomore Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) claimed a win over Sade Atkinson. With Akron ahead in the third set, Atkinson left the match with an injury.

In the final singles match to finish and a shot at the dual match victory, freshman Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) fought hard, but lost to Naz Karagoz, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Akron (0-1) was swept in doubles action.

Akron travels to Indianapolis, Ind., on Jan. 24 to face Valparaiso and host Butler.

TULANE 4, AKRON 3
January 17, 2015

Doubles:

1. Nicky Stracar/Vanessa Nommensen (TU) def. Karolina Maksimava/Martina Zerbola, 6-3
2. Madison Cohen/Ariadna Blinova (UA) vs. Sade Atkinson/Naz Karagoz, DNF (UA led 6-5)
3. Ipek Birol/Jacqui Katz def. Shannon Newnes/Sophia Geier, 6-1

Singles:
1. Karolina Maksimava (UA) def. Nicky Stracar, 6-2, 6-1
2. Ipek Birol (TU) def. Martina Zerbola, 6-0, 6-4
3. Naz Karagoz (TU) def. Ariadna Blinova, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3
4. Olga Shkundina (UA) def. Vanessa Nommensen, 6-4, 6-0
5. Jacqui Katz (TU) def. Sophia Geier, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
6. Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Sade Atkinson, 6-4, 4-6, def. inj.