Women's Tennis Gives Up 4-1 Decision at Tulane

Saturday, March 19

10 am

University of Akron

Tulane

March 19 | Women's Tennis

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NEW ORLEANS, La. — After being forced indoors because of inclement weather and competing in four hours of singles action due to playing on only three courts, The University of Akron women's tennis team dropped a 4-1 decision to Tulane on Saturday, March 19.

"I am extremely proud of the effort displayed today under difficult circumstances," said head coach Brandon Padgett. "We put ourselves in position to beat an excellent Tulane team that has played one of the toughest schedules in the country thus far. Tulane is a very deep team, and we matched them on many courts."

Akron (10-5) was poised to pull off the upset after creating chances to force a third set at No. 1 and 5 singles, but Tulane came out on top in both matches to seal the victory. Sophomore Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) battled Tulane's Kyla Klier to a 3-6, 5-0 win when her opponent was forced to stop with an apparent injury at No. 2 singles. At No. 6 singles, freshman Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Columbia) contended in a 6-7, 6-1, 3-2 three set match that went unfinished against Meredith Maltby.

UA was able to take the only doubles match of the day after juniors Karalina Maksimava and Shannon Newnes claimed a 7-6 (6) triumph over the Green Wave's Sade Atkinson and Ipek Birol.

"Composure let us down a little at No. 1 singles, but Sophia was playing a seasoned veteran who is a senior and has participated in many big matches throughout her college career," Padgett concluded. "Carli and Luisa played excellent matches while Ari was in total control of her match once she settled in. Karalina and Shannon showed that they are back and ready to go, from a doubles standpoint. Once they get their legs back under them in singles, we will be ready to show what we can do in conference play."

The Zips travel to Southeastern Louisiana (Mar. 21) before opening Mid-American Conference play at Eastern Michigan on Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m. at the Cluadia Wasik Tennis Complex in the league opener for both teams.

TULANE 4, AKRON 1

March 19, 2016

Doubles:

1. Karalina Maksimava/Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Sade Atkinson/Ipek Birol (TLN) 7-6 (6)

2. Sophia Geier/Carli Knezevich (UA) vs. Naz Karagoz/Elena Muller (TLN) no result

3. Martina Zerbola/Luisa Echeverry (UA) vs. Jacqui Katz/Meredith Maltby (TLN) no result

Singles:

1. Ipek Birol (TLN) def. Sophia Geier (UA) 6-0, 7-5

2. Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Kyla Klier (TLN) 3-6, 5-0, retired

3. Naz Karagoz (TLN) def. Karalina Maksimava (UA) 6-2, 6-0

4. Elena Muller (TLN) def. Shannon Newnes (UA) 6-1, 6-1

5. Jacqui Katz (TLN) def. Carli Knezevich (UA) 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3)