The Upper Iowa University women's tennis team played their tightest dual of the season to this point, but the Peacocks fell to the NCAA Division III Wartburg College Knights by a score of 5-4 in Waverly, Iowa. UIU secured wins in No. 1, 2, and 3 singles as the top of their lineup put up strong showings, but the Peacocks couldn't complete a comeback after opening the match with a 2-1 deficit following doubles competition. Wartburg College improves to 13-3 on the year while UIU falls to a 1-7 (1-4 NSIC) record on the season.
Recap... The Peacocks and Knights opened the dual with a doubles competition that would serve as the deciding factor in the match.
Varvara Ogorodnikova and
Lina Ziani claimed an 8-4 victory in No. 2 doubles competition to give UIU a point in the dual, but the teams were tied at 1-1 thanks to a Wartburg win in No. 3 doubles. The Peacocks fell in a closely contested No. 2 doubles match as the Knights claimed a 2-1 lead in the dual with an 8-7 (11-9) win in No. 1 doubles competition.
The one-point difference in doubles play would prove to be the difference between defeat and victory for Upper Iowa as they split the six singles matches with Wartburg. The Knights clinched the dual with wins in No. 4, 5, and 6 singles to take a 5-1 advantage, but the Peacocks finished strong with hard-fought wins in No. 1, 2, and 3 singles competition. Playing in the No. 1 singles spot for the first time this season,
Jessa Michieli claimed a 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (12-10) win. Ogorodnikova, playing her first No. 2 doubles match of the year, secured a win in straight sets by winning 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).
Lina Ziani rounded out the trio of Peacock victories with a comeback win in No. 3 singles. Ziani's 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5) win marked the third instance of a tiebreak win for UIU, but the Peacocks ultimately dropped the tight dual by a score of 5-4.
Quotables... "We picked up some good victories at singles 1-2-3 and doubles 2. In doubles, we still need to be more aggressive but did a better job at the net today. In singles, we had some tough matches but were able to pick up 3 victories. As a team we made too many double faults and unforced errors when starting points which really hurt us today. We will need to improve on that ahead of next weekend. Even though we did not pick up a team victory today, I am happy with the energy and our ability to adjust during our matches. Consistency and not giving away easy points to our opponents will be the key for next weekend."
- Head Coach Léo Millet
Up Next... The Peacocks are scheduled for a pair of NSIC duals in Winona, Minn. on Saturday, Mar. 27, and Sunday, Mar. 28. Upper Iowa will face the Southwest Minnesota State University at 12:30 p.m. on Mar. 27 before playing Minnesota State University - Mankato at 9:30 a.m. on Mar. 28.
Wartburg 5, Upper Iowa 4
Singles competition
1.
Jessa Michieli (UIU) def. Madison Overmann (WARWT) 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (12-10)
2.
Varvara Ogorodnikova (UIU) def. Olivia Phillips (WARWT) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
3.
Lina Ziani (UIU) def. Ambriel Jacobs (WARWT) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5)
4. Georgia Nissen (WARWT) def.
Alejandra Abella (UIU) 6-2, 7-5
5. Rebekah Corson (WARWT) def.
Mya Herrmann (UIU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Bailey Vandusseldorp (WARWT) def.
Elaina Wall (UIU) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Madison Overmann/Olivia Phillips (WARWT) def.
Jessa Michieli/
Alejandra Abella (UIU) 8-7 (11-9)
2.
Varvara Ogorodnikova/
Lina Ziani (UIU) def. Ambriel Jacobs/Alyssa Guse (WARWT) 8-4
3. Georgia Nissen/Rebekah Corson (WARWT) def.
Mya Herrmann/
Elaina Wall (UIU) 8-2
