Box Score

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Despite taking the doubles point and owning a late 3-2 lead, Miami University's women's tennis team was unable to hold off the charging Cincinnati Bearcats in a 4-3 loss Friday evening at the Western Tennis & Fitness Club.

The RedHawks (1-2) opened play with a strong showing in the doubles portion, taking two matches to earn the initial point. In third-flight, senior Ana Rajkovic and junior Andreea Badileanu topped Katya Bure and Antonella Bramato, 6-1. This was followed by a 6-4 second-flight victory for sophomore Hannah Shteyn and freshman Anzhelika Shapovalova. The remaining first-flight match featuring sophomores Nelli Ponomareva and Anastasiia Vasiukhina was suspended with the score tied at 5.

As singles action started, the Bearcats (3-1) rebounded to take a 2-1 lead following victories in second and third flights. Miami did not stay behind for long as freshman Emily Struble tied it up with her sixth consecutive win, a 6-4, 7-6 decision against Bure. Another RedHawk extended her winning streak to four as Ponomareva fought back Natalia Abdalla in a 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 fourth-flight contest. The RedHawks held a 3-2 lead with two matches remaining, but Vasiukhina (6-2, 6-7, 6-3) and Shapovalova (3-6, 6-6, 7-6) were unable to secure a Miami victory.

Miami will look to rebound with their home opener on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. against the Xavier Musketeers at the Riverside Athletic Club in Hamilton, Ohio. The last three matchups between the two schools have finished in tight 4-3 affairs.

Check MiamiRedHawks.com for live scoring from the match and a full recap of the day's results.

DOUBLES
1. Nelli Ponomareva / Anastasiia Vasiukhina (MIAMI) vs. Ali Miller / Natalia Abdalla (UC), 5-5 (abandoned)
2. Anzhelika Shapovalova / Hannah Shteyn (MIAMI) def. Lauren Bellinger / Harley Hutchison (UC), 6-4
3. Andreea Badileanu / Ana Rajkovic (MIAMI) def. Antonella Bramato / Katya Bure (UC), 6-1

Order of finish: 3, 2

SINGLES
1. Lauren Bellinger (UC) def. Anzhelika Shapovalova (MIAMI), 3-6, 6-3, 7-6
2. Ali Miller (UC) def. Andreea Badileanu (MIAMI), 6-1, 6-3
3. Antonella Bramato (UC) def. Hannah Shteyn (MIAMI), 6-3, 6-3
4. Nelli Ponomareva (MIAMI) def. Natalia Abdalla (UC), 6-2, 2-6, 7-6
5. Emily Struble (MIAMI) def. Katya Bure (UC), 6-4, 7-6
6. Harley Hutchison (UC) def. Anastasiia Vasiukhina (MIAMI), 2-6, 7-6, 6-3

Order of finish: 2, 3, 5, 4, 6, 1