The Upper Iowa University women's tennis team fell in their NSIC Dual against the SMSU Mustangs by a score of 5-2 despite a couple strong performances. The Peacock duo of
Varvara Ogorodnikova and
Lina Ziani claimed a nice comeback win in No. 2 doubles before each winning their singles matches in straight sets. Southwest Minnesota State University improves to 6-4 (6-0 NSIC) on the year while UIU falls to a 1-8 (1-5 NSIC) record on the season.
Recap... The NSIC Dual opened with doubles competition between the Peacocks and the Mustangs. Upper Iowa got a big win in No. 2 doubles action as the duo of
Varvara Ogorodnikova and
Lina Ziani secured a 7-5 win after being down 5-2. Despite the big win and some good play all around, the Mustangs won in No. 1 and 3 doubles to take a 1-0 lead in the dual.
The Peacocks were able to secure a couple of wins in singles play, but ultimately fell by a score of 5-2 after being bested in the No. 1, 4, 5, and 6 singles matches. In No. 2 and 3 singles, Ogorodnikova and Ziani each picked up wins in straight sets to stay undefeated on the day and provide two points for the Peacocks. Ogorodnikova won a hard-fought first set by a score of 7-5 in No. 2 singles before earning a comeback win in the second set by winning six straight games after being down 0-3. In No. 3 singles, Ziani was in control as she won 6-1, 6-2 and get another Peacock point on the board.
Quotables... "I am really happy with the way that we played doubles. We played with more confidence and aggressiveness than in the past weeks, and that allowed us to pick up a great victory at No. 2 doubles. Lina (Ziani) and Varvara (Ogorodnikova) came back after being down 5-2 to win the match 7-5. They showed great patience and energy to come back. In singles we picked up two great victories at No. 2 and No. 3 but could not win the rest of our matches. We played a really good SMSU team who was able to be a little bit more consistent than us. I am proud of everybody's effort but shout-out to Lina and Varvara for their victories. Varvara even came back from being down 3-0 in the second set to win six games in a row. We will need to keep our aggressive mindset for tomorrow in doubles and keep being consistent during singles."
- Head Coach Léo Millet
Up Next... The Peacocks will play another NSIC Dual in Winona, Minn. on Sunday, Mar. 28 at 9:30 a.m. against the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato.
SMSU 5, Upper Iowa 2
Singles competition
1. Flight, Maegan (SMSU) def.
Jessa Michieli (UIU) 6-2, 6-1
2.
Varvara Ogorodnikova (UIU) def. Leonard, Courtenay (SMSU) 7-5, 6-3
3.
Lina Ziani (UIU) def. Sior, Gwendolen (SMSU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Delich, Cora (SMSU) def.
Alejandra Abella (UIU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Harck, Maja Louisa (SMSU) def.
Mya Herrmann (UIU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Poulakidas, Silvia (SMSU) def.
Elaina Wall (UIU) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Flight, Maegan / Leonard, Courtenay (SMSU) def.
Jessa Michieli /
Alejandra Abella (UIU) 6-3
2.
Varvara Ogorodnikova/
Lina Ziani (UIU) def. Delich, Cora / Sior, Gwendolen (SMSU) 7-5
3. Harck, Maja Louisa / Poulakidas, Silvia (SMSU) def.
Mya Herrmann/
Elaina Wall (UIU) 6-1
