The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Tennis Hosts Akron Shootout This Weekend
September 22 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron women's tennis team opens its 2016 fall home schedule on Friday, Sept. 23 by hosting its own Akron Shootout at the Outdoor Tennis Facility.
"I am excited to get the second tournament of the fall underway, and to see the other five student-athletes play, that weren't at last weekend's tournament," said head coach Brandon Padgett. "I'm hoping to see a good crowd come out and support the team. We continue to work hard as a group, and I expect to see that hard work pay off this weekend."
Coach Padgett is in his seventh season as head coach at Akron. Padgett's squad returns eight performers from last season and welcomes one newcomer. Team captains Shannon Newnes (Romford, London) and Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) are back as well as senior Karalina Maksimava (Mogilev, Belarus) and 2016 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in junior Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia).
Akron also returns juniors Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) and Waverly Wituski (Springboro, Ohio) along with sophomores Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Columbia) and Carla Flores (Coahuila, Mexico). They're joined by freshman Ana Rita Pedroso (Porto, Portugal).
"All three teams visiting present different challenges for us, and we have to be willing and ready to face that challenge as a team," Padgett continued. "We will have three new doubles teams playing together this weekend, so that will be a main focus for the coaching staff, as we look to find combinations that we feel will benefit us in the spring season."
The Akron Shootout will get underway at 9 a.m. with singles matches between Cleveland State and Siena. Doubles action begins at Noon with CSU taking on Youngstown State, while Akron faces Siena. At 1 p.m., the Zips host YSU in singles action.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, play resumes at 10 a.m. with the Vikings facing Youngstown State in singles. Doubles begin at 1 p.m. that features the Penguins against Siena, and Akron playing CSU. At 2 p.m., UA hosts the Saints in singles action.
On Sunday, Sept. 25, YSU and Siena square off in singles at 9 a.m. In doubles action at Noon, Cleveland State takes on the Saints, while Akron plays Youngstown State. The tournament concludes with singles play between Akron and CSU, beginning at 1 p.m.
AKRON SHOOTOUT SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 23, 2016:
8 AM Warm-up: Cleveland State & Siena College
Singles: 9 AM - Cleveland State vs. Siena College
11 PM Warm-up: Akron & Youngstown State
Doubles: 12 PM
Courts 1,3,5: Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State
Courts 2,4,6: Akron vs. Siena College
Singles: 1 PM - Akron vs. Youngstown State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016:
9 AM Warm-up: Cleveland State & Youngstown State
Singles: 10 AM - Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State
12 PM Warm-up: Akron & Siena College
Doubles: 1 PM
Courts 1-3: Youngstown State vs. Siena College
Courts 4-6: Akron vs. Cleveland State
Singles: 2 PM - Akron vs. Siena College
Sunday, Sept. 25th, 2016:
8 AM Warm-up: Youngstown State & Siena College
Singles: 9 AM - Youngstown State vs. Siena College
11 AM Warm-up: Akron & Cleveland State
Doubles: NOON
Courts: 1-3: Cleveland State vs. Siena College
Courts 4-6: Akron vs. Youngstown State
Singles: 1 PM – Akron vs. Cleveland State
Directions to Outdoor Tennis Facility: Exit Route 8 onto Carroll St. then follow Goodkirk (parallel with route 8) south, cross over Exchange St. and turn right on Crouse. Crouse will dead end at the courts on Brown St.
*In the event of inclement weather, play will be moved indoors to the LaTuchie Tennis Center (3200 Darrow Road, Stow, Ohio 44224).
Players Mentioned
