Women’s Tennis Falls at Pittsburgh, 6-1

Saturday, January 20

Pittsburgh, PA

6 PM

University of Akron

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

January 20 | Women's Tennis

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WEXFORD, Pa. – The University of Akron women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to Pittsburgh on Saturday evening at the Oxford Athletic Club.

Pittsburgh (2-0 overall) claimed the doubles point with two match victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. At No. 2 doubles, junior Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Colombia) and freshman Miruna Vasilescu (Ulm, Germany) were ahead of Luisa Varon and Claudia Bartolome, 5-4, but did not finish once the doubles point was earned.

"I'm extremely impressed with how we played today," said Akron head coach Brandon Padgett. "We are searching for doubles combinations, so we used two new teams today, and all three combinations played extremely well. Luisa and Miruna were in control of their match, but were unable to finish, which is frustrating for them."

In singles action, senior captain Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) captured the sole win for the Zips (1-1 overall). At No. 2 singles, she beat Luisa Varon in straight sets, 7-6 (5), 7-5.

"Singles play was a continuation of doubles, in that we played with high energy and focus," Padgett continued. "I can easily say that this was the best I've ever seen Carli, Rita, and Waverly play in their collegiate careers, and Carli has put together two outstanding matches to start the season. We have a lot of work to do still, but I know that this group is prepared to put in the time and effort necessary to continue improving."

Akron travels to St. Bonaventure, N.Y., on Friday, Jan. 26, to face the host Bonnies at 10 a.m. and Niagara 2 p.m.

PITTSBURGH 6, AKRON 1
Oxford Athletic Club | Wexford, Pa.
Jan. 20, 2018

Doubles:
1. Gabriela Rezenda/Jovana Knezevic (Pitt) def. Carli Knezevich/Rita Pedroso, 6-3

2. Luisa Echeverry/Miruna Vasilescu (UA) vs. Luisa Varon/Claudia Bartolome, DNF

3. Callie Frey/Camila Moreno (Pitt) def. Waverly Wituski/Madison Wolfe, 6-4

Singles:
1. Gabriela Rezenda (Pitt) def. Rita Pedroso, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2

2. Carli Knezevich (UA) def. Luisa Varon, 7-6 (5), 7-5

3. Claudia Bartolome (Pitt) def. Luisa Echeverry, 6-1, 6-4

4. Camila Moreno (Pitt) def. Madison Wolfe, 6-2, 6-3

5. Callie Frey (Pitt) def. Carla Flores, 6-2, 6-0

6. Natsumi Okamoto (Pitt) def. Waverly Wituski, 7-5, 6-4

Order of Finish:
Doubles– 1, 3
Singles– 5, 4, 3, 6, 2, 1

Team Records:
Akron (1-1 overall, 0-0 MAC)
Pittsburgh (2-0 overall, 0-0 ACC)