University of Toledo
Illinois-Chicago
Rockets Defeat UIC 4-3 In Season Opener
1/24/2015 11:21:00 PM | Women's Tennis
CHICAGO, IL - The Toledo women's tennis team edged out Illinois-Chicago on Saturday afternoon by the score of 4-3 in the Windy City.
It was just the second time in program history the Rockets defeated the Flames, with the first victory coming last season.
"This was a great win to get so early in the season," head coach Tracy Mauntler said. "This was a match where we had to pay to win and we were able to do that in pressured situations. We are going to take this win to spark the rest of our season."
Sophomore Lauren Thai saved three match points in her matchup at No. 5 singles before claiming a 6-2, 6-7, 7-6 win to knot the match up at three apiece.
Junior Katelyn Nguyen clinched the victory for the Midnight Blue & Gold in the No. 4 singles spot with a three-set victory of her own, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
The Rockets seized the doubles point as Thai teamed up with senior Pia Rygh in the top doubles spot for a 6-4 victory, and the duo of senior Lexy Pitt and junior Emily Mazzola claimed a 6-1 win in No. 3 doubles.
Toledo began singles play holding a 1-0 lead over the Flames, but UIC bounced back by winning three of the next four points in singles play to take a 3-2 lead.
Pitt secured a crucial point in No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 7-6 win, as Nguyen and Thai closed out the victory for the Midnight Blue & Gold.
The Rockets conclude their season-opening weekend tomorrow with a match against South Dakota State in Chicago. The match is scheduled to begin at noon.
