The Upper Iowa University women's tennis team picked up their second win of the season as they bested NSIC foe Minnesota State University-Mankato by a score of 5-2. The Peacocks started strong and took the doubles point after wins in No. 1 and 2 doubles play. The Mavericks battled back with wins in No. 5 and 6 singles to take a 2-1 lead, but UIU claimed victories in No. 1, 2, 3, and 4 singles to secure the 5-2 victory in the NSIC Dual. Upper Iowa improves to 2-8 (2-5 NSIC) on the year while MSU-Mankato falls to a 2-12 (1-8 NSIC) record on the season.
Recap... The Peacocks opened the NSIC Dual by claiming the doubles point in their match against the Mavericks. Upper Iowa got a convincing win in No. 1 doubles as
Jessa Michieli and
Alejandra Abella secured the 6-2 win. UIU dropped its No. 3 singles match, but a closely contested 7-5 victory in No. 2 doubles behind the duo of
Varvara Ogorodnikova and
Lina Ziani saw the Peacocks take a 1-0 lead in the dual.
Minnesota State opened singles play with wins in No. 6 and 5 singles, respectively, to erase their deficit and take a 2-1 lead in the NSIC Dual. Upper Iowa got its momentum back with a big win in No. 1 doubles as Michieli notched the 6-0, 6-2 advantage to tie the score in the dual. Ogorodnikova followed that up with a 6-3, 6-4 win in No. 2 singles to give UIU the 3-2 advantage and remain undefeated in both singles and doubles play over the weekend. Abella clinched the dual for the Peacocks with a win in No. 4 singles as she won the first set 6-1 before winning a hard-fought second set by a score of 7-5. Ziani closed out the dual for Upper Iowa with a 6-4, 6-4 win in straight sets as she also finished the weekend with a perfect record in singles and doubles action. The Peacocks finished with a 4-2 advantage in singles play, and bested MSU-Mankato by a score of 5-2 in the NSIC Dual.
COACH QUOTES... "We played well in doubles and were able to pick up two victories at No. 1 and No. 2. For singles, we picked up solid victories at No. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Some matches were close but we were able to win the critical points, be a little more consistent, and avoid making unforced errors. We will need to keep working on our consistency in the upcoming weeks but we are moving in the right direction and I am really proud of this team!"
- Head Coach Léo Millet
LOOKING AHEAD... The Peacocks have a weekend off before getting back in action against NSIC foe St. Cloud State University on Friday, Apr. 9 at 5 p.m. in St. Cloud, Minn. Upper Iowa will then play another NSIC Dual on Saturday, Apr. 10 at 1 p.m. against the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Upper Iowa 5, Minnesota State 2
Singles competition
1.
Jessa Michieli (UIU) def. Washa, Tyanna (MSU) 6-0, 6-2
2.
Varvara Ogorodnikova (UIU) def. Dokken, Dee (MSU) 6-3, 6-4
3.
Lina Ziani (UIU) def. Goth, Lauren (MSU) 6-4, 6-4
4.
Alejandra Abella (UIU) def. Hall, Kjerstin (MSU) 6-1, 7-5
5. Clayton, Abigail (MSU) def.
Mya Herrmann (UIU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Johansen, Sarah (MSU) def.
Elaina Wall (UIU) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition
1.
Jessa Michieli /
Alejandra Abella (UIU) def. Washa, Tyanna / Dokken, Dee (MSU) 6-2
2.
Varvara Ogorodnikova/
Lina Ziani (UIU) def. Hall, Kjerstin / Goth, Lauren (MSU) 7-5
3. Johansen, Sarah / Clayton, Abigail (MSU) def.
Mya Herrmann/
Elaina Wall (UIU) 6-0
