Women's Tennis Gets By Milwaukee, 4-3

Saturday, February 13

11 am

University of Akron

Illinois-Chicago

February 12 | Women's Tennis

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The University of Akron women's tennis team posted a close 4-3 victory at Milwaukee on Friday evening at the North Shore Elite Tennis Club.

The Zips improved to 5-1 overall, while the Panthers fell to 3-3 on the season.

"Today was a tough day," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "We have some injuries that have been nagging us, and today we saw what can happen if we aren't sharp enough on court."

Akron was able to come out with the doubles point after the teams split the first two matches. Sophomore Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) and partner Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) battled through a 7-6 (6) win over UWM's Laurie Clark and Alysa Straub to give the Zips an early lead.

Milwaukee came out strong in singles play claiming three of the top four matches, however, it was not enough as Akron took the final two spots for the win. Sophomore Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) pushed her winning streak to four after defeating Hayley Marshall, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.

At No. 5 singles, sophomore Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) beat Dana Shannon in a three set match, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, before freshman Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Columbia) fought Aerielle Pendleton, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (6), 6-4, to take the deciding point.

"I am happy with how we fought are several courts, but we will certainly have to play better if we expect to come away with a win tomorrow against UIC," Padgett finished. "Injuries or not, we all have to step up when a teammate is down or out. Hopefully we can do that tomorrow."

Akron will head to Illinois-Chicago tomorrow (Feb. 13) for a 12 p.m. matchup against the Flames before returning home on Saturday, Feb. 20 for a doubleheader with Valparaiso and Morgan State at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.

AKRON 4, MILWAUKEE 3

February 12, 2016

Doubles:

1. Sophia Geier/Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Laurie Clark/Alysa Straub (UWM) 7-6 (6)

2. Hayley Marshall/Labina Petrovska (UWM) def. Ariadna Blinova/Carli Knezevich (UA) 6-3

3. Martina Zerbola/Luisa Echeverry (UA) def. Dana Shannon/Masha Lobanova (UWM) 6-2

Singles:

1. Petrovska (UWM) def. Geier (UA) 6-3, 7-6 (5)

2. Blinova (UA) def. Marshall (UWM) 6-2, 6-2

3. Clark (UWM) def. Newnes (UA) 6-1, 6-1

4. Straub (UWM) def. Zerbola (UA) 6-2, 1-0 ret. inj.

5. Knezevich (UA) def. Shannon (UWM) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4