Women’s Tennis Wins Singles in Day 1 of Shootout

Friday, September 22

Akron, Ohio

10 AM

University of Akron

Day 1

Women’s Tennis Wins Singles in Day 1 of Shootout

September 22 | Women's Tennis

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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's tennis team opened the 2017-18 with 4-2 singles win over Youngstown State on the first day of action at its own Akron Shootout.

The Zips also fell to Cleveland State in doubles action, 3-0.

"Today was an interesting day for us," said Akron head coach Brandon Padgett.  "We ended up on the wrong side of all three doubles matches, but lost many, many deuce point games which skews the score lines.  We had two brand new teams together today, and they will continue to get better as the weekend progresses."

In singles action against YSU, senior captain Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) captured a 7-5, 7-5 win over Noelly Longi Nsimba at the No. 1 spot.

At No. 2, freshman Anna Uljanov (Schweinfurt, Germany) recorded her first collegiate win, defeating Imaan Hassim, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 10-8.

At No. 5, junior Carla Flores (Coahuila, Mexico) beat Lucia Zagar, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 10-4, while junior Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Colombia) defeated Tamara Teufl, 6-4, 6-2, at the No. 6 spot.

"Our singles play impressed me greatly," Padgett continued.  "Our line-up looks completely different from what it did last spring, but our results were similar.  We have players working through some important changes within their games, yet everyone did an excellent job of working through those changes, win or lose."

He added, "I have to highlight freshman Anna Uljanov for winning her first true collegiate match, against a player that beat us last year during the regular season.  Also, I could not be more proud of the performance Carli had today.  Moving from 5/6 in the line-up last spring all the way up to No. 1 today was a definite challenge for her, but she met that challenge head on and played outstanding tennis, against an excellent player.  Winning her match in straight sets, playing intelligent, disciplined tennis from start to finish, is exactly what we knew she was capable of.  Our belief in her abilities hasn't wavered, and today she took an enormous step forward.  As a senior, and a captain, I'm truly impressed with how she led our team today with her play."

Shootout action continues on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. at the UA outdoor tennis courts on campus. If forced indoors, matches will be played at the LaTuchie Tennis Center in Stow.

2017 Akron Shootout Schedule & Result

Friday, Sept. 22
Singles: Cleveland State 3, Oakland 3

Doubles:
Oakland 2, Youngstown State 1

Cleveland State 3, Akron 0
1. Aleksandra Golawska/Jana Schober (CSU) def. Carli Knezevich/Madison Wolfe, 6-2

2. Isabella Spindler/Gaby Schoenberg (CSU) def. Anna Uljanov/Carla Flores, 6-2

3. Blanche Lenoan/Anastasia Perin (CSU) def. Luisa Echeverry/Waverly Wituski, 6-3

Singles:
Akron 4, Youngstown State 2

1. Carli Knezevich (UA) def. Noelly Longi Nsimba, 7-5, 7-5

2. Sofia Macias (YSU) def. Madison Wolfe, 6-1, 6-0

3. Anna Uljanov (UA) def. Imaan Hassim, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 10-8

4. Cassandra Moraleja (YSU) def. Waverly Wituski, 6-2, 6-2

5. Carla Flores (UA) def. Lucia Zagar, 7-6 (6), 1-6, 10-4

6. Luisa Echeverry (UA) def. Tamara Teufl, 6-4, 6-2

Saturday, Sept. 23
10 a.m.           Singles: Cleveland State vs. Akron

12:30 p.m.     Doubles: Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State
                        Oakland vs. Akron

1:30 p.m.       Singles: Oakland vs. Youngstown State

Sunday, Sept. 24
9 a.m.             Singles: Oakland vs. Akron

11:30 a.m.     Doubles: Cleveland State vs. Oakland
                        Youngstown State vs. Akron

12:30 p.m.     Singles: Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State