The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Tennis Hosts Northern Illinois on Friday
April 06 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio – The Akron women's tennis team will put its school record 19 match-winning streak on the line this weekend with a pair of Mid-American Conference matches.
On Friday, April 7, the Zips (20-2 overall, 4-0 MAC) host Northern Illinois (8-10 overall, 2-2 MAC) at 1 p.m. at the LaTuchie Tennis Center in Stow.
Akron travels to Western Michigan (8-9 overall, 2-2 MAC) on Sunday, April 9, for a 1 p.m. match at the West Hills Athletic Club.
"We are halfway through the conference schedule at this point, and we know that we have a great deal of work left to do to reach our intended goals," said head coach Brandon Padgett. "This weekend is extremely important, and we are as prepared as we can be. Northern Illinois is very talented and well coached, and we will have to play well to come away with a win. Playing at home will certainly help us."
Akron has won 20 matches for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
"Western Michigan played in the championship match last season, and beat us 4-3 at home," he continued. "So we know that we have to play perhaps at a higher level that we have during any conference match thus far to pick up a win, especially on the road, in such a difficult environment."
Last week, senior Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) had a trio of victories in singles play to remain unbeaten this spring at 10-0. Newnes rallied to top Buffalo's Mercedes Losada Rubio in three sets, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 and helped Akron clinch its first-ever regular-season win over Miami (Ohio) with a 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3 win over the RedHawks' Hannah Shteyn. The senior also registered a 6-3, 6-4 decision against Kennesaw State's Jessica Cantrell.
The doubles team of junior Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) and senior Karolina Maksimova (Mogilev, Belarus) have posted a 16-2 mark in doubles action this season.
