The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
USTA/ITA Regional Championships
Zerbola Splits Singles Matches in Qualifying Draw at Midwest Regional
October 16 | Women's Tennis
URBANA, Ill. — Two Zips women's tennis players had a tough day of competition in the qualifying singles draw at the 2014 USTA/ITA Midwest Regional at the Atkins Tennis Center on Thursday.
Junior Martina Zerbola (Neuquen, Argentina) fell to Wisconsin's Lauren Burich, 7-5, 6-2. In her second match, Zerbola claimed a 6-2, 6-2 win over IPFW's Sofia Soforkina.
Sophomore Karolina Maksimava (Mogilev, Belarus) lost to Illinois' Julia Jamieson, 6-1, 6-3.
"Today was a tough day, playing two out of three matches against difficult Big Ten opponents," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "But Martina played exceptionally well and had legitimate chances to win her first match. She rebounded well in her second match, and I hope that her level of play will carry over to tomorrow in doubles."
The two Zips will compete in doubles action against Eastern Illinois' Ali Foster and Hannah Kimbrough at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17.
The regional tournament began with a 64-player qualifying singles draw on Oct. 16, with players advancing to the 48-person main draw on Saturday, Oct. 18. Doubles play begins on Friday, Oct. 17 and features 48 of the region's top tandems. Both singles and doubles finals will take place Tuesday, October 21.
Players are vying for a spot in the prestigious USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, which will take place Nov. 6-9 at the USTA-Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
Players Mentioned
