University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Florida Gulf Coast University
Minnesota Downed 4-3 by FGCU in Fort Myers
3/12/2018 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Fort Myers, Fla. - The University of Minnesota fell to Florida Gulf Coast 4-3 in their opening match of its Florida road trip. The dual was give-and-take through its entirety, with no team gaining more than a two point lead at any time and with four out of the six singles matches went to the full three sets.
Minnesota trailed 3-2 with two matches remaining in the dual before Barbara Mancera won her No. 5 singles match 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, and Annemarie Emme lost her No. 3 singles match 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 just minutes apart.
"We had our opportunities and we had our chances, but we just couldn't finish it," head coach Catrina Thompson said. "The girls competed well, but it's just a process. We need to keep working on executing when we have opportunities."
Doubles
Minnesota claimed the doubles point and the early lead with wins in No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Merzbacher and partner Mehvish Safdar continued their hot streak, winning 6-4 in No. 1 doubles, and improving their record to 10-2 on the season. After dropping No. 2 doubles, Caroline Ryba and River Hart took the No. 3 spot 7-5, clinching the point for the Gophers.
"We did another good job with No.1 doubles leading the way, and with Caroline and River finishing the job in No. 3," Thompson said. "We felt really good going into singles."
Singles
Mancera was joined by Merzbacher for the lone two wins in the singles portion of the competition. Merzbacher took No. 5 singles with ease, winning 6-3, 6-4. She is now 12-2 on the season with all her matches in the No. 5 spot.
"I thought her opponent really brought her best game in the third set, but Bita (Mancera) went after it and finished it well," Thompson said.
Up Next
Minnesota will face Notre Dame Tuesday at 10 a.m. Minnesota will be looking to bounce back and end the weekend 1-1.
"I think the key tomorrow is to hit the reset button," Thompson said. "That's the thing with this group, every match they've played they've left it all out on the court and that's what's great about them."
Coach Thompson will be facing off against her alma mater for the first time in her head coaching career. Thompson was a three-time All-American in doubles for the Fighting Irish and served as an assistant coach for three years immediately prior to accepting the head coach position at Minnesota.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to face some familiar faces and to see Jay (Louderback) and Michelle (Dasso) who were both my coaches in college," Thompson said. "If the girls compete the way we know we can and do, we will find ourselves in the match, we just have to play to win tomorrow."
FGCU 4, Minnesota 3
Singles
- ORNBERG, Maja (FGCU) def. Caroline Ryba (MINN) 3-6, 6-3, 6-0
- ASCUA, Julia (FGCU) def. Tina Kreinis (MINN) 7-6, 6-4
- GALLEGOS, Madison (FGCU) def. Annemarie Emme (MINN) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
- Barbara Mancera (MINN) def. FALCETO FONT, Laura (FGCU) 6-3, 5-7, 7-6
- Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) def. VILLAR, Patricia (FGCU) 6-3, 6-4
- PEREZ, Sofia (FGCU) def. Cammy Frei (MINN) 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
Doubles
- Mehvish Safdar/Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) def. ASCUA, Julia/ORNBERG, Maja (FGCU) 6-4
- FALCETO FONT, Laura/CURTIS, Julianna (FGCU) def. Tina Kreinis/Annemarie Emme (MINN) 6-3
- River Hart/Caroline Ryba (MINN) def. GALLEGOS, Madison/VILLAR, Patricia (FGCU) 7-5
Order of finish
Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,5,6,1,3,4)
Players Mentioned
