The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Cleveland State
Zips Sweep Cleveland State to Win 10th Straight Match
February 25 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio – The Zips swept Cleveland State by a 7-0 score to win their 10th straight match on Saturday afternoon at LaTuchie Tennis Center in Stow.
Akron improves to 11-2 on the season, while Cleveland State drops to 3-7.
In doubles action, all three pairings picked up victories to help clinch the point for the hosts.
Senior Karolina Maksimava (Mogilev, Belarus)/junior Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) picked up a 6-3 win over the Vikings' Victoria Bensimon/Jana Schober at the No. 1 doubles spot. Junior Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia)/junior Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) and senior Shannon Newnes (Romford, London)/freshman Rita Pedroso (Porto, Portugal) registered wins of 6-1 and 7-6 (5) over their respective Cleveland State foes.
"Another quality effort today from everyone. We continue to play solid doubles, which is extremely important as the season moves forward. We have much to work on this week and I know the team is ready to put in the hours necessary to continue to improve," said head coach Brandon Padgett.
At the No.1 singles spot, Geier won her 11th straight match by taking a 6-0, 6-0 decision against the Vikings' Isabella Spindler. The junior is now 11-1 in singles action this spring.
Blinova picked up a three-set victory (6-2, 6-7 (5), 1-0 (5)) over CSU's Aleksandra Golawaska in the second singles match.
Pedroso captured her eighth straight match with a 6-2, 7-5 win against Bensimon in No. 3 singles action.
At the No. 5 singles spot, sophomore Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Colombia) got the best of Schober, 6-4, 7-5.
Maksimava and Knezevich each picked up singles victories to go along with their doubles win for the Zips. In No. 4 singles action, Maksimava topped Princess Gbadamosi in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) and Knezevich posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Blanche Lenoan at the No. 6 spot.
Akron will be back in action on Saturday, March 4 with a pair of road matches. The Zips will battle Illinois-Chicago at 11 a.m. and Valparaiso at 6 p.m.
AKRON 7, CLEVELAND STATE 0
LaTuchie Tennis Center
February 25, 2017
Doubles:
1. Karolina Maksimava/Carli Knezevich (UA) def. Victoria Bensimon/Jana Schober, 6-3
2. Ariadna Blinova/Sophia Geier (UA) def. Isabella Spindler/Princess Gbadamosi, 6-1
3. Shannon Newnes/Rita Pedroso (UA) def. Aleksandra Golawaska/Blanche Lenoan, 7-6 (5)
Singles:
1. Sophia Geier (UA) def. Isabella Spindler, 6-0, 6-0
2. Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Aleksandra Golawaska, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 1-0 (5)
3. Rita Pedroso (UA) def. Victoria Bensimon, 6-2, 7-5
4. Karolina Maksimava (UA) def. Princess Gbadamosi, 6-2, 6-4
5. Luisa Echeverry (UA) def. Jana Schober, 7-5, 6-4
6. Carli Knezevich (UA) def. Blanche Lenoan, 6-1, 6-2
Order of Finish:
Doubles— 2, 1, 3
Singles— 1, 3, 4, 6, 2, 5
Team Records:
Akron (11-2, 0-0 MAC)
Cleveland State (3-7, 0-0 Horizon)
Players Mentioned
