Women's Tennis Defeats ETSU, 5-2

Sunday, February 18

Akron, Ohio

10 AM

University of Akron

East Tennessee State

February 18 | Women's Tennis

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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's tennis team claimed a 5-2 win over East Tennessee State on Sunday morning at the LaTuchie Tennis Center.

"Today was a complete team win," said Akron head coach Brandon Padgett. "We knew that we had to step up our focus, effort, and energy from Friday, and each player did that today. This team has the talent to do some great things this season, but it will take a complete, consistent, team effort, like we showed today."

With a new doubles line-up, the Zips (6-5 overall) claimed the doubles point over the Bucs (3-4 overall).

At No. 2 doubles, junior Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Colombia) and freshman Miruna Vasilescu (Ulm, Germany) defeated Melissa Esguerra and Yi Chi Ma, 6-3.

At No. 3 doubles, senior captain Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) and freshman Madison Wolfe (Monument, Colo.) beat out Alejandra Morales and Andrea Pascual-Larrinaga, 6-1.

In singles action, Vasilescu remained undefeated in singles action (8-0 overall) with a hard-fought battle over Alory Pereira, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-4, at No. 2 singles.

At No. 3 singles, Knezevich battled Andrea Pascual-Larrinaga to a 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Echeverry utilized three sets to defeat Yi Chi Ma, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, at No. 4 singles.

At No. 5 singles, freshman Anna Uljanov (Schweinfurt, Germany) defeated Melissa Esguerra, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0.

"We saw leadership shown today from our upperclassmen, Carli and Luisa, which if continued, will definitely have a positive impact on our younger players moving forward," Padgett said. "Rita (Pedroso) continues to lead as one of our younger players, which makes me extremely proud to see as a coach. Even in a loss, she showed what it takes to help propel this team forward."

Akron travels to Kansas next weekend to visit Kansas State on Friday, Feb. 23, and UM Kansas City on Saturday, Feb. 24.

"We have a difficult road trip coming up, so we need to see that level of leadership carry over into this week's practices," he added.

AKRON 5, EAST TENNESSEE STATE 2
LaTuchie Tennis Center
Feb. 18, 2018

Doubles:
1. Alory Pereira/Ioanna Markesini (ETSU) def. Rita Pedroso/Anna Uljanov (Akron), 6-4

2. Luisa Echeverry//Miruna Vasilescu (Akron) def. Melissa Esguerra/Yi Chi Ma (ETSU), 6-3

3. Carli Knezevich/Madison Wolfe (Akron) def. Alejandra Morales/Andrea Pascual-Larrinaga (ETSU), 6-1

Singles:
1. Ioanna Markesini (ETSU) def. Rita Pedroso (Akron), 6-2, 7-6 (3)

2. Miruna Vasilescu (Akron) def. Alory Pereira (ETSU), 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-4

3. Carli Knezevich (Akron) def. Andrea Pascual-Larrinaga (ETSU), 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3

4. Luisa Echeverry (Akron) def. Yi Chi Ma (ETSU), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

5. Anna Uljanov (Akron) def. Melissa Esguerra (ETSU), 6-3, 4-6, 6-0

6. Alejandra Morales (ETSU) def. Madison Wolfe (Akron), 6-4, 6-3

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

Team Records:
East Tennessee State (3-4 overall, 0-0 SoCon)
Akron (6-5 overall, 0-0 MAC)