March 5, 2017
UNTINGTON, W. Va. - Miami University's tennis team spent its weekend in Huntington, W. Va. where they dropped two matches against Marshall and Winthrop University, setting its season record back, 3-7.
RedHawks Fall to the Eagles, 5-2
Saturday's match resulted in a loss for the RedHawks, 5-2, against the Winthrop Eagles. In doubles action, Miami fell at No. 1 after the junior tandem of Nelli Ponomareva and Anastasiia Vasiukhina dropped a 7-6 decision to Winthrop's Lauren Proctor and Megan Kauffman. The sophomore pair of Abby Brady and Anzhelika Shapovalova dropped a match at No. 2 against Caitlin Cridland Cridland and Alisa Solovena (6-1). The Eagle sweep of the doubles competition was stopped by senior Andreea Badileanu and sophomore Emily Struble at No. 3 after they defeated Alya Mourad and Aida Kelic, (6-4).
Singles finished in a disappointing fashion with RedHawks claiming wins at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Badileanu defeated Caitlin Cridland in a three-set match (2-6, 6-3, 6-4). Struble beat out Megan Kauffman in straight sets, (6-3, 6-4).
Miami Drops Match to Marshall, 5-2
The RedHawks returned on Sunday to face off with Marshall University where they ultimately fell, 5-2. Miami was unable to clinch the doubles point after losses at all flights. Ponomareva and Vasiukhina fell to Deryan Turhan and Anna Pomyatinskaya, (6-4). Shapovalova and Brady fell at No. 2 (6-2) to Marshall's Rachael Morales and Stephanie Smith. Struble and Badileanu were unable to finish their match against Maddie Silver and Marija Bogicevic.
Miami tallied two points in singles, once again thanks to Badileanu and Struble. Badileanu garnered a point for Miami after she downed her opponent, Maddie Silver. The Romainain-native claimed the first set, (6-3), but fell in the next, (4-6). She returned to claim the match in the third set, (6-0). Struble defeated her opponent, Rachael Morales in straight sets, but not without earning it in two tiebreakers (7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3).
Despite other losses, Miami had strong performances from all players including Anastasiia Vasiukhina who dropped her match to Anna Pomyatinskaya. The Red & White claimed the first set, (5-7) but fell in the next two very close sets (7-5, 7-6 (7-4)).
Miami has off until Wed. March 15, where they will face off with the University of Dayton back in Oxford, Ohio.
