The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Southeastern Louisiana
Women's Tennis Puts Up Fight in 5-2 Loss to Southeastern Louisiana
March 21 | Women's Tennis
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HAMMOND, La. — The University of Akron women's tennis team closed out its Spring Break trip with a 5-2 loss to Southeastern Louisiana on Monday, March 21 at the Southeastern Tennis Complex.
Akron (10-6) got off to a good start after winning on two of three doubles courts against the Lions. However, Southeastern Louisiana (10-4) battled its way through the Zips' singles lineup by winning all but one match.
In doubles play, sophomores Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) and Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) swept Lucia Bustamante and Ceci Mercier, 6-0. Akron's No. 3 duo of senior Martina Zerbola (Neuquen, Argentina) and freshman Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Columbia) gave the Zips a 1-0 lead after overpowering Natalie Duran and Madina Vorotnikova, 6-1.
At the No. 2 position, sophomore Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) earned Akron's lone victory in singles action, downing Dalina Dahlmans, 6-2, 6-4.
SLU's Renee Villarreal topped Geier in a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 decision at No. 1 singles before Zerbola fell to Mercier in a three-set match, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, at the No. 4 spot. Both Knezevich and Echeverry had chances to force a third set on their respective courts but came up short in the end.
"We played against a strong outdoor team today," said head coach Brandon Padgett. "I was pleased with how we looked in doubles, and for the most part in singles. We have such a young team, that it is going to take some time for them to learn how to truly play collegiate tennis."
The Zips finish its three-match road swing 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.
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 5, AKRON 2
March 21, 2016
Doubles:
1. Dalina Dahlmans/Renee Villarreal (SLU) def. Karalina Maksimava/Shannon Newnes (UA) 6-2
2. Sophia Geier/Carli Knezevich (UA) def. Lucia Bustamante/Ceci Mercier (SLU) 6-0
3. Martina Zerbola/Luisa Echeverry (UA) def. Natalie Duran/Madina Vorotnikova (SLU) 6-1
Singles:
1. Renee Villarreal (SLU) def. Sophia Geier (UA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
2. Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Dalina Dahlmans (SLU) 6-2, 6-4
3. Lucia Bustamante (SLU) def. Karalina Maksimava (UA) 6-2, 6-1
4. Ceci Mercier (SLU) def. Martina Zerbola (UA) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
5. Natalie Duran (SLU) def. Carli Knezevich (UA) 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
6. Madina Vorotnikova (SLU) def. Luisa Echeverry (UA) 6-3, 7-5
Order of finish:
Doubles– 2, 1, 3
Singles– 3, 2, 5, 1, 6, 4
Team Records:
Akron (10-6 overall, 0-0 MAC)
Southeastern Louisiana (10-4 overall, 0-0 Horizon)
Players Mentioned
