The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Niagara
Women's Tennis Claims Two Wins At Home
January 29 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron women's tennis team earned two home victories in its season opening matches on Friday, downing Niagara 6-1 in the morning and IUPUI 7-0 in the afternoon.
The Zips (2-0) swept all three matches in the morning doubles action against Niagara. In singles play, Akron won five of six matches against the Purple Eagles. Sophomores Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany), Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) and Waverly Wituski (Springboro, Ohio) each recorded singles wins along with junior Karalina Maksimava (Mogilev, Belarus) and freshman Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Columbia).
Against IUPUI in the afternoon match, Akron claimed two doubles matches while sweeping all six singles matches. Echeverry and senior Martina Zerbola won their second match of the day, beating the Jaguars' Valeriia Lavrenchuk and Mariella Pessina, 6-2, at No. 2 doubles. Knezevich and freshman Carla Flores (Coahuila, Mexico) took down IUPUI's Brigitte Swartwood and Rachel Swartwood, 7-5. Junior Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) saw her first singles action, defeating Sara Sherif, 6-3, 6-3, at the No. 3 spot.
"It was a solid first day of matches for us," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "It was good to push through two matches in one day, allowing us to be tested physically and mentally. I was impressed with how well everyone fought through the mental fatigue. We have a short turnaround with YSU coming into town tomorrow, but I am excited to see how we handle such a physically and mentally taxing weekend."
Akron will host Youngstown State on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. at the LaTuchie Tennis Center.
AKRON 6, NIAGARA 1
January 29, 2016
Doubles:
1. Shannon Newnes/ Karalina Maksimava (UA) def. Sharlee Deshmukh/ Stella Peisakhova, 6-1
2. Luisa Echeverry/ Martina Zerbola (UA) def. Haley Hollins/ Sydnee Wheeler, 6-3
3. Carli Knezevich/ Waverly Wituski (UA) def. Jasmin Vargas/ Shannon Wong, 6-1
Singles:
1. Sophia Geier (UA) def. Peisakhova, 6-0, 6-2
2. Maksimava (UA) def. Hollins, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Knezevich (UA) def. Wheeler, 6-3, 6-3
4. Echeverry (UA) def. Wong, 6-2, 7-6 (4)
5. Deshmukh (NU) def. Carla Flores, 6-4, 6-4
6. Wituski (UA) def. Vargas, 6-0, 6-0
Order of finish:
Doubles– 3, 1, 2
Singles– 3, 1, 6, 2, 4, 5
* * *
AKRON 7, IUPUI 0
January 29, 2016
Doubles:
1. Sara Sherif/ Samantha Mayer (IUPUI) def. Sophia Geier/ Karalina Maksimava, 6-2
2. Luisa Echeverry/ Martina Zerbola (UA) def. Valeriia Lavrenchuk/ Mariella Pessina, 6-2
3. Carli Knezevich/Carla Flores (UA) def. Brigitte Swartwood/ Rachel Swartwood, 7-5
Singles:
1. Geier (UA) def. Valeriia Lavrenchuk, 6-2, 6-0
2. Maksimava (UA) def. Rachel Swartwood, 7-5, 6-2
3. Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Sara Sherif, 6-3, 6-3
4. Knezevich (UA) def. Mariella Pessina, 6-3, 6-1
5. Echeverry (UA) def. Bobbi Modesto, 6-0, 6-4
6. Zerbola (UA) def. Brigitte Swartwood, 6-2, 6-1
Order of finish:
Doubles– 2, 1, 3
Singles– 6, 3, 5, 1, 4, 2
Team Records:
Akron (2-0 overall, 0-0 MAC)
Niagara (1-1 overall, 0-0 MAAC)
IUPUI (0-4 overall, 0-0 Summit)
Players Mentioned
