The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Utah St.
Women's Tennis Drops Close Match to Utah State, 4-3
February 14 | Women's Tennis
MADISON, Wis. — The University of Akron women's tennis team battled to a 4-3 loss to Utah State on Saturday afternoon at Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
The Zips fell to 5-4 overall, while the Aggies improved to 6-2 overall.
Akron loss the doubles point as Utah State swept all three matches.
"We came out extremely flat in doubles on a couple of courts, but had two new pairings playing together due to injury issues," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "Madison and Karolina played well for their first time together. Singles was much better, and we had opportunities to win the team match. Our freshmen rebounded nicely from doubles and played very strong in singles."
In singles play, the Zips claimed three wins. At No. 4 singles, senior Olga Shkundina (Ufa, Russia) rebounded to defeat Lexi Turley, 0-6, 6-1, 6-0. At No. 5 singles, freshman Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) came back to overcome Meghan Lyall, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. And at the No. 6 spot, freshman Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) beat Sabrina Demerath, 7-5, 6-4.
"Utah State was nationally ranked last week (#61), so I am happy to see us compete at this level, especially after yesterday's poor play," he added.
Akron returns home to the LaTuchie Tennis Center for two matches on Friday, Feb. 20. The Zips open with Cleveland State at 2 p.m., followed by a match with Findlay at 7 p.m.
UTAH STATE 4, AKRON 3
Nielsen Tennis Stadium
February 14, 2015
Doubles:
1. Lexi Turley / Kallie Sperry (USU) def. Sophia Geier / Martina Zerbola, 6-0
2. McKenzie Davis /Maggie O'Meara (USU) def. Madison Cohen / Karolina Maksimova, 7-6 (5)
3. Nini Guensler / Meghan Lyall (USU) def. Ariadna Blinova/ Maria Bessmertnaya, 6-1
Singles:
1. McKenzie Davis (USU) def. Karolina Maksimova, 6-0, 6-0
2. Nini Guensler (US) def. Madison Cohen, 7-6 (5), 6-4
3. Kallie Sperry (USU) def. Martina Zerbola, 7-5, 7-5
4. Olga Shkundina (UA) def. Lexi Turley, 0-6, 6-1, 6-0
5. Sophia Geier (UA) def. Meghan Lyall, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
6. Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Sabrina Demerath, 7-5, 6-4
Order of finish:
Doubles– 1, 3, 2
Singles– 1, 4, 6, 3, 2, 5
Team Records:
Akron (5-4 overall, 0-0 MAC)
Utah State (6-2 overall, 0-0 MWC)
Players Mentioned
