University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
South Alabama
Gophers Win ITA Kick-Off Match 4-1
1/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
The No. 61 University of Minnesota Gophers picked up their first win at the ITA Kick-Off in program history topping No. 73 South Alabama 4-1.
"We played a very good outdoor team in conditions that they are used to and got the job done," head coach Chuck Merzbacher said. "The team played very well on the big points in doubles and singles. South Alabama is a good team and that was a solid win for us."
The Gophers took the doubles point for the second straight day. Julia Courter and Caroline Ryba teamed up for their third win together topping Monica Mitta/Paula Sanchez 6-1. South Alabama tied things up taking a doubles win in the second spot.
In the No. 1 spot Paula Rincon-Otero and Annemarie Emme went into a tiebreak with Michaela Meszarosova and Laura Valkova and came out on top 7-6 (3) to give Minnesota the lead heading into singes play.
Mehvish Safdar moved to 3-0 in dual season and 9-5 on the year with a quick (6-2, 6-1) win over Sanchez at the No. 6 spot. Emme bumped her singles record to 9-7 this season with a (6-3, 6-4) victory over Meszarosova to put the Maroon and Gold just one point away from the win.
South Alabama got on the board with a win at the No. 2 spot as Valkova topped Courter (6-4, 6-3).
Senior Jessika Mozia came up big for the Gophers. After taking a close 7-5 first win at the No. 5 spot she found herself down 5-2 in the second set. She bounced back to win 7-5 to close out the big team win.
Rincon-Otero won her first set 6-4 and dropped the second 6-3 to Mitta. The two had their battle go unfinished. At the No. 1 spot Ryba fell in the first set 6-3 to Alexandria Stiteler and was up 6-5 in the second before their match was called.
The Gophers will return home to Baseline next Saturday with matches against Milwaukee and South Dakota.
Singles competition
1. Caroline Ryba (MINN) vs. Alexandria Stiteler (USA) 3-6, 6-5, unfinished
2. #86 Laura Valkova (USA) def. Julia Courter (MINN) 6-4, 6-3
3. Paula Rincon-Otero (MINN) vs. Monica Mitta (USA) 6-4, 3-6, unfinished
4. Annemarie Emme (MINN) def. Mich. Meszarosova (USA) 6-3, 6-4
5. Jessika Mozia (MINN) def. Laura Matuskova (USA) 7-5, 7-5
6. Mehvish Safdar (MINN) def. Paula Sanchez (USA) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Annemarie Emme/Paula Rincon-Otero (MINN) def. Mich. Meszarosova/Laura Valkova (USA) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Cinta Maria Papke/Alexandria Stiteler (USA) def. Caitlyn Merzbacher/Jessika Mozia (MINN) 6-4
3. Julia Courter/Caroline Ryba (MINN) def. Monica Mitta/Paula Sanchez (USA) 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,4,2,5)
Players Mentioned
