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Akron Shootout (UMBC/Duquesne/Texas State)
Women's Tennis Akron Shootout: Day 1 Results
September 19 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON— Zips women's tennis officially opened its 2014 fall schedule on Friday, Sept. 19, with its own Akron Shootout.
Prior to match play, head coach Brandon Padgett, Director of Athletics Tom Wistrcill, and University President Dr. Scott Scarborough participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new on-campus tennis facility (yet to be named), located just south of InfoCision Stadium across Exchange Street. Following the ceremony, Dr. Scarborough faced senior Olga Shkundina (Ufa, Russia) for the official first point.
"This was a wonderful day for Akron tennis," Padgett said. "Being able to open up this beautiful, new facility was amazing, and I could not be more proud of the effort displayed by our team."
Akron swept in its opening doubles play against UMBC. At No. 1, junior Martina Zerbola (Neuquen, Argentina) and sophomore Karolina Maksimava (Mogilev, Belarus) defeated Sharon Cleary and Charlotte Trojan, 8-1. At No. 2, freshmen Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) and Maria Bessmertnaya (Pyatigosk, Russia) beat Madlena Kurasz and Hanna Victorson, 8-7 (5). At No. 3, freshmen Kati Mdzinarishvili (Hudson, Ohio) and Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) defeated Mariani Dolavili and Alice Taylor, 8-7 (11).
"Playing without three key players, this group stepped up big, as one unit, and showed heart and determination," Padgett said. "The effort they are giving in the weight room and on the court showed immediately today."
In singles action against Texas State, Akron won four of six matches. At No. 1, Zerbola defeated Monica Pieratt, 7-5, 6-1. At No. 2, Maksimava beat Eva Dench, 7-6 (5), 6-3. At No. 3, Blinova defeated Ana Laura Gutierrez, 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (3). The Zips' last win on the day came from Geier at the No. 4 spot, 6-3, 7-5, over Katy Collins.
"Our freshmen all played very well, especially in doubles," Padgett said. "Martina and Karolina dominated their doubles match, and both displayed a level of maturity in singles that was missing last year. I am extremely pleased with their efforts."
All play is round-robin. Team scores are not kept.
Play resumes at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, with Duquesne facing Texas State in singles. Doubles begin at Noon with Akron against Duquesne, and Texas State playing UMBC. At 1 p.m., Akron hosts UMBC in singles action.
The schedule and results are listed below.
AKRON SHOOTOUT
On-Campus Tennis Facility
Friday, Sept. 19
Singles: Duquesne vs. UMBC
1. Mariami Dalashvili (UMBC) def. Alexa Miller, 2-6, 6-2, 10-8
2. Kylie Isaacs (DU) def. Madlena Kurasz, 6-1, 6-1
3. Alice Taylor (UMBC) def. Spencer Caravaggio, 6-2, 4-6, 10-6
4. Hanna Victorsson (UMBC) def. Megan Wasson, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7
5. Laura Ambrozic (UMBC) def. Ally Miller, 6-2, 4-6, 11-9
6. Zuzana Stelmaszak (DU) def. Carlotte Tonjarn, 6-3, 6-3
Doubles: Akron vs. UMBC
1. Martina Zerbola/Karolina Maksimava (UA) def. Sharon Cleary/Charlotte Trojan, 8-1
2. Sophia Geier/Maria Bessmertnaya (UA) def. Madlena Kurasz/Hanna Victorson, 8-7 (5)
3. Kati Mdzinarishvili/Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Mariani Dolavili/Alice Taylor, 8-7 (11)
Doubles: Duquesne vs. Texas State
1. Kylie Isaacs/Chandler Consonery (DU) def. Monica Pieratt/Ana Laura Gutierrez, 8-6
2. Shannon Beckett/Eva Dench (TSU) def. Megan Wasson/Spencer Caravaggio, 8-3
3. Alexa Miller/Zuza Stelmasek (DU) def. Katy Collins/Pippa Carr, 8-1
Singles: Akron vs. Texas State
1. Martina Zerbola (UA) def. Monica Pieratt, 7-5, 6-1
2. Karolina Maksimava (UA) def. Eva Dench, 7-6 (5), 6-3
3. Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Ana Laura Gutierrez, 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (3)
4. Sophia Geier (UA) def. Katy Collins, 6-3, 7-5
5. Shannon Beckett (TSU) def. Maria Bessmertnaya, 6-1, 6-3
6. Maddie Moore (TSU) def. Kati Mdzinarishvili, 6-1, 6-3
# Saturday, Sept. 20
9 a.m. Singles: Duquesne vs. Texas State
Noon Doubles: Texas State vs. UMBC
Doubles: Akron vs. Duquesne
1 p.m. Singles: Akron vs. UMBC
Sunday, Sept. 21
9 a.m. Singles: Texas State vs. UMBC
Noon Doubles: Duquesne vs. UMBC
Doubles: Akron vs. Texas State
1 p.m. Singles: Akron vs. Duquesne
# - Because of a home football game on Saturday, parking Lot 73 will be reserved for the tennis tournament and its fans only. Football tailgate parking will utilize Lots 14/15 instead.
*In the event of inclement weather, play will be moved indoors to the LaTuchie Tennis Center (3200 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio 44224).
Players Mentioned
