University of Minnesota Athletics
Spilca Secures Victory
2/7/2011 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Freshmen Natallia Pintusava and Yuliana Umanets played at No. 1 doubles for the second straight dual match and lost 8-4 to Christina Ruiz and Rachel Hush. However the Gophers were victorious at the second and third doubles positions to earn the first point of the match.
Sophomores Alexa Palen and Doron Muravnik partnered together for the first time this year and crushed Olga Fischer and Paola Calderon 8-1 at No. 2 doubles. Magdalena Wiecha and Mariana Spilca cruised to an 8-3 win at third doubles against Chelsea Utting and Gillian Hush.
Four of the six singles matches went to three sets, but the Gophers triumphed at the third, fourth and fifth singles position to win the dual match. Spilca won the deciding singles match for the Gophers in dramatic fashion at No. 5 singles. Every other singles match was completed and the competition itself was well into four hours when the senior finally triumphed 7-6 (7), 1-6, 7-6 (5) against Christina Ruiz.
Palen rallied for the win after losing the first set, as she defeated Calderon 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Wiecha needed only two sets to secure her 6-4, 7-6 (3) win against Gillian Hush.
Pintusava, who is ranked No. 51, was upended 6-3, 6-2 by Fischer at No. 1 singles. Umanets (No. 2 singles) and Muravnik (No. 6 singles) lost their matches in three sets.
The Gophers return to the court when they host Oklahoma in their home opener at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11.
Minnesota at Marquette (Feb 6, 2011)
#71 Minnesota 4, Marquette 3
Singles competition

1. Olga Fischer (MAR) def. #51 Natallia Pintusava (MIN) 6-3, 6-2
2. #103 Kelly Barry (MAR) def. Yuliana Umanets 2-6, 7-6 (6) 6-4
3. Alexa Palen (MIN) def. Paola Calderon (MAR) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
4. Magdalena Wiecha (MIN) def. Gillian Hush (MAR) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
5. Mariana Spilca (MIN) def. Christina Ruiz (MAR) 7-6 (7), 1-6, 7-6 (5)
6. Chelsea Utting (MAR) def. Doron Muravnik (MIN) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
Doubles competition

1. Christina Ruiz/Rachel Hush (MAR) def. Natallia Pintusava/Yuliana Umanets (MIN) 8-4
2. Alexa Palen/Doron Muravnik (MIN) def. Olga Fischer/Paola Calderon (MAR) 8-1
3. Mariana Spilca/Magdalena Wiecha (MIN) def. Chelsea Utting/Gillian Hush (MAR) 8-3
