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Western Michigan
Zips Fall in MAC Battle to Western Michigan
April 03 | Women's Tennis
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MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron women's tennis team fell in a close 4-3 Mid-American Conference decision against Western Michigan on Sunday afternoon at the LaTuchie Tennis Center.
"Today was a tough loss for us," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "We played well in singles for the most part, but doubles let us down. We have to continue to work on playing tougher during the big points, mentally and physically. I don't believe in moral victories, but we lost to Western Michigan 7-0 last year, and today we put ourselves in position to win, which is what we ask of our players each and every match."
Akron (13-7, 3-1 MAC) trailed Western Michigan (14-6, 3-1 MAC) early after dropping the doubles point, with losses at the first and second flights. The Zips then battled hard throughout singles play but came up short, claiming three out of the six matches.
Sophomore Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) captured her eighth straight singles victory, defeating Melina Lyubomirova 7-5, 7-6 (3) at the No. 1 spot while sophomore Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) overpowered WMU's Tracy Kuhle at No. 2 singles, winning 6-2, 6-3.
At No. 6 singles, sophomore Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) beat Meika Ashby in a three set match, 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3, before senior Martina Zerbola (Neuquen, Argentina) fell to Barbare Eristavi in a tight 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3 result at the No. 4 position.
Akron remains at home to face league opponent Ball State on Friday, April 8 before traveling to Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, April 10. Friday's match is set to begin at 1 p.m. while the Zips will compete at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
WESTERN MICHIGAN 4, AKRON 3
April 3, 2016
Doubles:
1. Tracy Kuhle/Melina Lyubomirova (WMU) def. Karalina Maksimava/Shannon Newnes (UA), 6-1
2. Barbare Eristavi/Katja Fevralev (WMU) def. Carli Knezevich/Sophia Geier (UA), 6-4
3. Meika Ashby/Denise Azcui (WMU) vs. Ariadna Blinova/Martina Zerbola (UA), DNF 5-4
Singles:
1. Blinova (UA) def. Lyumbomirova (WMU) 7-5, 7-6 (3)
2. Geier (UA) def. Kuhle (WMU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Fevralev (WMU) def. Newnes (UA) 6-2, 7-5
4. Eristavi (WMU) def. Zerbola (UA) 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3
5. Azcui (WMU) def. Luisa Echeverry (UA) 6-2, 6-1
6. Knezevich (UA) def. Ashby (WMU) 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3
Order of finish:
Doubles– 1, 2
Singles– 5, 3, 2, 1, 6, 4
Team Records:
Akron (13-7 overall, 3-1 MAC)
Western Michigan (14-6 overall, 3-1 MAC)
Players Mentioned
