The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ball State
Zips Topped by MAC Leader Ball State
April 08 | Women's Tennis
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MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
AKRON, Ohio — After starting off strong in doubles action, The University of Akron women's tennis was unable to seal the win, dropping a tight 4-3 decision to league-leading Ball State Friday afternoon at the LaTuchie Tennis Center.
"Another tough loss today," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "Credit to Ball State, they played extremely well. I am proud of the effort shown by this young team, and I know that matches like this will only help prepare us moving forward."
Akron (13-8, 3-2 MAC) took the doubles point over Ball State (18-2 overall, 5-0 MAC) with victories at the first and second flights.
At No. 1 doubles, sophomore Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) and junior Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) battled to a 7-6 (7-5) triumph over BSU's Toni Ormond and Julia Sbircea. Sophomores Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) and Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) seized the doubles victory by defeating Peyton Gollhofer and Audrey Berger, 7-6 (9), at the No. 2 spot.
The Zips fought hard until the very end in singles play, however, Akron came up with just two out of the six matches. Blinova pushed her winning streak to nine consecutive singles victories, besting Carmen Blanco 7-5, 6-3 at the No. 1 position while senior Martina Zerbola (Neuquen, Argentina) overcame Ormond 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 4 singles.
"You feel bad for the players in a situation like this, because they put so much effort and heart into every match," Padgett finished. "The MAC is much deeper this year than it has been since I started coaching here at Akron, which shows just how strong our young team truly is."
Akron travels to Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, April 10 for a 10 a.m. match at the Riverside Athletic Club.
BALL STATE 4, AKRON 3
April 8, 2016
Doubles:
1. Ariadna Blinova/Shannon Newnes (UA) def. Toni Ormond/Julia Sbircea (BSU), 7-6 (7-5)
2. Carli Knezevich/Sophia Geier (UA) def. Peyton Gollhofer/Audrey Berger (BSU), 7-6 (9)
3. Carmen Blanco/Bethany Moore (BSU) def. Martina Zerbola/Luisa Echeverry (UA), 6-4
Singles:
1. Blinova (UA) def. Blanco (BSU) 7-5, 6-3
2. Gollhofer (BSU) def. Geier (UA) 7-6 (6), 7-5
3. Berger (BSU) def. Newnes (UA) 6-2, 6-4
4. Zerbola (UA) def. Ormond (BSU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
5. Sbircea (BSU) def. Echeverry (UA) 6-2, 6-4
6. Isabelle Dohanics (BSU) def. Knezevich (UA) 6-4, 7-5
Order of finish:
Doubles– 3, 1, 2
Singles– 5, 3, 1, 6, 2, 4
Team Records:
Akron (13-8 overall, 3-2 MAC)
Ball State (18-2 overall, 5-0 MAC)
Players Mentioned
