Women's Tennis Sweeps NIU on the Road

Friday, April 1

1 pm

University of Akron

Northern Illinois

April 01 | Women's Tennis

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ROCKFORD, Ill. — The University of Akron women's tennis team earned a 7-0 sweep over Northern Illinois on Friday, April 1 at the Boylan Tennis Center.

"Excellent showing today by everyone," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "We really came out focused and determined on every court and were one point away at No. 1 doubles from a complete sweep."

The Zips (13-6, 3-0 MAC) claimed two doubles matches while sweeping all six singles matches against NIU. Sophomores Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) and Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) captured a 6-4 victory over Abigail Dekkinga and Michelle Erasmus at No. 2 doubles while senior Martina Zerbola (Neuquen, Argentina) and partner Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) defeated the No. 3 duo of Cristina Alvarez and Meghan Montgomerie, 6-1.

Blinova ran her singles win streak to seven matches after besting NIU's top player, Adey Osabuohien, in a hard fought 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (7) triumph. Blinova now stands at 16-1 in singles dual matches this season while the Huskies' Osabuohien has gone 12-3 after today's match.

At No. 2 singles, Geier took down Alvarez, 6-0, 6-3 before Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) got back on track with a 6-2, 6-3 win versus Dekkinga at the No. 3 position.

Zerbola came out on top with a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Erasmus at No. 4 singles while Knezevich overpowered Montgomerie, 6-2, 6-2, at the No. 6 spot. Freshman Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Columbia) rounded out the winning for Akron, beating Evelyn Youel, 6-1, 6-4 at No. 5 singles.

"NIU is a very good team and we knew that we would have to play well to win," Padgett finished. "I am extremely proud of the total team effort that was shown today."

UA will host Western Michigan (13-6, 2-1 MAC) on Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m. at either the LaTuchie Tennis Center or Outdoor Tennis Facility depending on weather.

AKRON 7, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 0

April 1, 2016

Doubles:

1. Karalina Maksimava/Shannon Newnes (UA) vs. Adey Osabuohien/Evelyn Youel (NIU), 6-5 DNF

2. Sophia Geier/Carli Knezevich (UA) def. Abigail Dekkinga/Michelle Erasmus (NIU), 6-4

3. Martina Zerbola/Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Cristina Alvarez/Meghan Montgomerie (NIU), 6-1

Singles:

1. Blinova (UA) def. Osabuohien, 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (7)

2. Geier (UA) def. Alvarez, 6-0, 6-3

3. Newnes (UA) def. Dekkinga, 6-2, 6-3

4. Zerbola (UA) def. Erasmus, 6-1, 6-1

5. Luisa Echeverry (UA) def. Youel, 6-1, 6-4