Miami University
Akron
Tennis Downs Akron, 5-2
4/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
HAMILTON, Ohio -- Despite losses at its top two positions, Miami University's women's tennis team continued its winning momentum in Mid-American Conference play, topping the University of Akron, 5-2, Sunday morning at the Riverside Athletic Club. The RedHawks (8-9, 3-1 MAC) used a doubles sweep and five consecutive singles wins to put away the Zips (13-9, 3-3 MAC) and extend their winning streak to three.
In doubles, Miami overcame initial challenges to take both matches with scores of 6-3. First, sophomore Nelli Ponomareva and freshman Emily Struble won at No. 3 position, followed by a first-flight victory for junior Andreea Badileanu and freshman Anzhelika Shapovalova. The remaining second-flight match was abandoned, with senior Ana Rajkovic and sophomore Hannah Shteyn leading, 5-4.
The RedHawks quickly sealed the match with a solid performance in singles. Rajkovic took a decisive 6-0, 6-3 contest at No. 6 from Carli Knezevich, followed by a 6-2, 6-4 win for Badileanu at fourth-flight. Ponomareva earned her sixth-consecutive victory with a 6-3, 6-4 decision against Karolina Maksimova at No. 3 position that clinched the match. Finally, Struble extended her win total to 24 with a 6-3, 6-0 triumph over Martina Zerbola. Akron would earn its two points with tiebreaker-assisted victories at the top two positions.
Miami remains home next weekend for the final regular-season matches of the year in Oxford. On Friday, April 15, the RedHawks face Bowling Green, followed by a visit from Eastern Michigan on Sunday, April 17. Both matches are scheduled to be held at the Hepburn Varsity Tennis Courts and will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday's match will be the final regular-season event at the facility, as well as Senior Day for Ana Rajkovic.
DOUBLES
1. Andreea Badileanu / Anzhelika Shapovalova (MIAMI) def. Ariadna Blinova / Shannon Newnes (AKRON), 6-3
2. Ana Rajkovic / Hannah Shteyn (MIAMI) vs. Sophia Geier / Shannon Newnes (AKRON), unfinished
3. Nelli Ponomareva / Emily Struble (MIAMI) def. Luisa Echeverry / Martina Zerbola (AKRON), 6-3
Order of finish: 3, 1
SINGLES
1. Ariadna Blinova (AKRON) def. Anzhelika Shapovalova (MIAMI), 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
2. Sophia Geier (AKRON) def. Hannah Shteyn (MIAMI), 7-6 (7), 6-2
3. Nelli Ponomareva (MIAMI) def. Karolina Maksimova (AKRON), 6-3, 6-4
4. Andreea Badileanu (MIAMI) def. Shannon Newnes (AKRON), 6-2, 6-4
5. Emily Struble (MIAMI) def. Martina Zerbola (AKRON), 6-3, 6-0
6. Ana Rajkovic (MIAMI) def. Carli Knezevich (AKRON), 6-0, 6-3
Order of finish: 6, 4, 3, 5, 1, 2
Players Mentioned
