Rockets Blow Out Flames in Final Non-Conference Matchup

Saturday, March 17

Toledo, Ohio

Noon

University of Toledo

Illinois - Chicago

Junior Thalita Rodrigues went 4-6, 7-6, 10-8 in UT's 6-1 win over UIC on Saturday March 17, 2018.

Photo by: Will Edmonds

Rockets Blow Out Flames in Final Non-Conference Matchup

3/17/2018 5:04:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Toledo, Ohio - The Toledo women's tennis team (10-3) won 6-1 over the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) (5-5) today in the final non-conference match of the season. With the win, the Rockets have established a three-match winning streak. Standout player on the day was junior Thalita Rodrigues who won a match tiebreak in the No. 5 singles spot, ending the day 4-6, 7-6, 10-8.

"I feel all season, and especially in the last couple of weeks, we as coaches keep challenging them and they keep stepping up," head coach Tracy Mauntler said after the match. "We have people moving up in the lineup and it's like they are unfazed. They have so much confidence in themselves and each other, and you can see it in the way they play.

"We knew UIC was good coming into today," Mauntler added. "They're the Horizon League favorites, we haven't beaten them in a while, and we knew they were going to be tough."

The match was a brutal fight to the end. UT started off the day by sweeping the doubles competition with two 6-0 matches, but the Flames rallied during singles, forcing each match to go three sets. Despite UIC's best efforts, UT didn't falter.

Mauntler noted that winning five three-set matches at this point in the season is exactly where she wants her team to be, explaining that three-set matches mirror the type of competition her players are going to face during conference play.

"It's all about the third set and who has more heart, who's in better shape, and who wants it more," she said.

With the victory secured, the Rockets turn to their next opponents, the Buffalo Bulls and Akron Zips. UT takes on the Bulls Friday, March 23 at 1:00 p.m., then visits the Zips on Sunday March, 25 for a 1:00 p.m. showdown.

Toledo 6, University Illinois at Chicago 1

Singles competition
1. Deedee Leenabanchong (UT) def. COLIC, Lejla (UIC) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
2. Colleen O'Brien (UT) def. SANDERS, Georgie (UIC) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
3. Kokoro Chishaki (UT) def. GUEVREMONT, Amelia (UIC) 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
4. Claire Aleck (UT) def. LEBLANC, Melika (UIC) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
5. Thalita Rodrigues (UT) def. LE COMBER, Rachel (UIC) 4-6, 7-6, 10-8
6. SEIFERT, Viktoria (UIC) def. Megan Miller (UT) 6-2, 6-7, 7-5

Doubles competition
1. Sidnay Huck/Kokoro Chishaki (UT) vs. SANDERS, Georgie/COLIC, Lejla (UIC) unfinished
2. Colleen O'Brien/Deedee Leenabanchong (UT) def. LEBLANC, Melika/LE COMBER, Rachel (UIC) 6-0
3. Megan Miller/Thalita Rodrigues (UT) def. SEIFERT, Viktoria/GUEVREMONT, Amelia (UIC) 6-0