University of Toledo
AKRON
Toledo Defeats Akron in Dramatic Regular-Season Finale, 4-3
4/17/2004 12:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo women's tennis team ended the regular season in dramatic fashion Saturday afternoon, claiming a 4-3 win against Akron at the Laurel Hill Tennis Club.
The Rockets took the doubles point, winning two of three sets. Toledo prevailed at No. 1 as seniors Jen Meister and Monica Ribero beat Irina Strembitsky and Diana Serafini 8-3. At No. 3, sophomores Daniella Moran and Betsy Hoffman overcame Jennifer Ales and Stephanie Miles, 9-7.
Toledo needed three singles wins to take the match, and that is exactly what it got. Meister provided the match-clinching win over Courtney Brenkus, by a 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 score at No. 3. After splitting the first two sets, Meister trailed 5-0 in the third, before mounting an incredible comeback on UT's 'Senior Day.'
Toledo head coach Tracy Honko barely could contain her happiness following the victory.
"It was such an amazing come from behind victory for Jen. You can't ever count her out. She was playing her final home match on 'Senior Day' in front of parents and family. There was a lot emotion in that last set, and she played with a great amount of confidence with her back against the wall."
Ribero also claimed a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Diana Serafini at No. 2, while freshman Claire Smalley came through with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Ales at No. 6.
Toledo will travel to DeKalb, IL on April 22-24 to participate in the MAC Championship. The eighth-seeded Rockets will battle ninth-seeded Buffalo on Thursday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Singles
No. 1 - Irina Strembitsky (UA) def. Myriam Cueva(UT) 6-0, 6-3
No. 2 - Monica Ribero (UT) def. Diana Serafini (UA) 6-2, 6-2
No. 3 - Jen Meister (UT) def. Courtney Brenkus (UA) 7-5,1-6,7-6
No. 4 - Stephanie Miles (UA) def. Daniella Moran (UT) 6-2, 6-1
No. 5 - Mindy Price (UA) def. Betsy Hoffman (UT) 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 - Claire Smalley (UT) def. Jennifer Ales (UA) 6-2,6-3
Doubles
No. 1 - Ribero/Meister (UT) def. Strembitsky/Serafini (UA), 8-3
No. 2 - Brenkus/Price (UA) def. Cueva/Smalley (UT), 8-5
No. 3 - Hoffman/Moran (UT) def. Ales/Miles (UA), 9-7
