University of Toledo
Illinois-Chicago
Rockets Burned by Flames 5-2 in Non-Conference Tilt
2/17/2013 3:15:00 AM | Women's Tennis
GRIFFITH, IN - The Toledo women's tennis team lost a tough battle for the doubles point, and could only gather two singles wins at the top of its lineup in a 5-2 non-conference loss to Illinois-Chicago at Match Point Tennis Saturday afternoon.
"This was an incredibly close match against an experienced team," head coach Tracy Mauntler said. "We worked hard for the doubles point, but did not close when we needed to. I'm proud of the way we went out and battled in singles."
UT led early on in doubles play, but UIC mounted a comeback to capture wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 flights to jump out to a 1-0 lead heading into singles play. Senior Silvia Carvajal and freshman Katelyn Nguyen dropped a close 8-6 contest at the No. 1 doubles position, followed by a narrow 8-7 (7-2) pro-set loss at No. 2 by the freshman pair of Mackenzie Bowman and Emily Mazzola. The sophomore tandem of Lexy Pitt and Pia Rygh notched an 8-6 victory at the third doubles flight.
The Rockets posted wins in both the No. 1 and No. 2 singles flights until the Flames took control of the match through the rest of the lineup. Junior Chrissy Coffman won in straight sets at the top flight, while Rygh recorded a come-from-behind victory at No. 2 by scores of 6-7 (7-1), 7-5, 10-6. The match turning point came at the third singles flight when Nguyen lost to her counterpart in three sets, including tiebreakers in both the second and third frames. Carvajal's match at the final singles flight also extended to a third set, but UIC grinded out the win 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.
"I'm optimistic about the potential of this young team," Mauntler said. "I see key players getting better each time they step on the court, which is what we are looking for at this time of the year."
The Midnight Blue & Gold will travel to Pittsburgh for a 1:30 p.m. match at Duquesne next Friday. Following that match, UT will take off on its Spring Break trip to Orlando, FL on March 4-9.
UIC 5, Toledo 2
Singles
1. Chrissy Coffman (UT) def. Haley Craig (UIC) 6-3, 6-4
2. Pia Rygh (UT) def. Natalia Kuvakina (UIC) 6-7 (7-1), 7-5, 10-6
3. Mariana Palacios (UIC) def. Katelyn Nguyen (UT) 6-2, 6-7 (7-3), 7-6 (8-6)
4. Kathryn Sharples (UIC) def. Emily Mazzola (UT) 6-3, 6-3
5. Jana Knoppe (UIC) def. Lexy Pitt (UT) 2-1, retired
6. Keti Mebuke (UIC) def. Silvia Carvajal (UT) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
Doubles
1. Haley Craig/Mariana Palacios (UIC) def. Silvia Carvajal/Katelyn Nguyen (UIC) 8-6
2. Kathryn Sharples/Jana Knoppe (UIC) def. Emily Mazzola/Mackenzie Bowman (UIC) 8-7 (7-2)
3. Lexy Pitt/Pia Rygh (UT) def. Natalia Kuvakina/Ann-Sophie Hahn (UIC) 8-6
Players Mentioned
