The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Tennis to Open MAC Play This Weekend
March 24 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron women's tennis team begins the Mid-American Conference (MAC) portion of its schedule by traveling to Eastern Michigan and playing host to Toledo this weekend.
The Zips (10-6 overall, 0-0 MAC) journey to Eastern Michigan on Friday, March 25, for a 1 p.m. match at the Wasik Tennis Complex in the league opener for both teams.
Akron then hosts Toledo on Sunday, March 27 for a 1 p.m. match at the Outdoor Tennis Facility.
The Zips lost 4-3 to Eastern Michigan last season, and the Eagles carry a 3-10 mark into the weekend. Toledo, which UA fell to in another close 4-3 decision on the road last March, comes into the match with a 6-7 dual-match record. Akron has defeated EMU in three of the last six meetings while besting UT in four of the last six matchups.
Akron looks to correct a two-match losing streak, after falling 5-2 at Southeastern Louisiana on Monday and 4-1 at Tulane last Saturday. Against Tulane, the Zips were poised to pull off the upset after creating chances to force a third set at No. 1 and 5 singles, but the Green Wave 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 (Mogilev, Belarus) and Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) claimed a 7-6 (6) triumph over the Green Wave's Sade Atkinson and Ipek Birol.
Akron got off to a good start versus Southeastern Louisiana after winning on two of three doubles courts against the Lions. However, Southeastern Louisiana 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 Echeverry gave the Zips a 1-0 lead after overpowering Natalie Duran and Madina Vorotnikova, 6-1.
At the No. 2 position, Blinova earned Akron's lone victory in singles action, downing Dalina Dahlmans, 6-2, 6-4.
The Zips are 3-5 on the road this season and 7-1 on their home court as this weekend's contests wrap up a nine-match stretch in which they play on the road six times.
Akron then resumes MAC play in DeKalb, Ill. against Northern Illinois on Friday, April 1 at 2 p.m.
