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University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Indiana University
Merzbacher Stays Hot, but Gophers Fall to Indiana
3/25/2018 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Bloomington, Ind. - The Gophers took to the road looking to respond after a tough loss at home to Michigan, but couldn't get their footing against a tough Indiana team, falling 5-2 on the road. Minnesota obtained victories from the No. 5 and No. 6 spots with Caitlyn Merzbacher and Cammy Frei.
It has been a singles season to remember for Merzbacher. The junior now has 17 spring victories, which ties her with two other Gophers for the most spring victories going back to 2005. She will attempt to break that next week against Ohio State and Penn State at Baseline Tennis Center.
Indiana would jump out to the early lead in doubles as the Gophers attempted to knock off the Hoosiers who are now 11-1 at home this season. Minnesota had chances in singles, with Carolina Ryba dropping a tough first set in the No. 1 singles match 7-6, and Annemarie Emme dropping her first set by the same score. The 5-2 loss is the second straight Minnesota loss by that score.
Doubles
Indiana would jump out to the early lead in doubles as the Gophers attempted to knock off the Hoosiers who are now 11-1 at home this season. The Gophers have gotten used to the pairing of Mehvish Safdar and Merzbacher picking up wins in doubles, but against Indiana, they were tripped up 6-3. River Hart and Caroline Ryba also fell in their match, 6-2, giving Indiana the early 1-0 lead.
The No. 2 pair of Tina Kreinis and Annemarie Emme had their match go unfinished.
Singles
Minnesota would quickly tie up the team score with a lightning quick win from Cammy Frei in the No. 6 spot. She took down Olga Zavarotnaya, who was a part of Indiana's No. 3 doubles team, 6-4, 6-2. Frei moves to 8-3 this spring for the Gophers, including 7-3 at the No. 6 spot.
Indiana quickly took back the lead with a victory in the No. 2 spot with Natalie Whalen taking down Tina Kreinis 6-3, 6-3. The Gophers would be unable to mount a comeback in a few of their matches with Ryba dropping the tough first set along with Emme who would go on to lose her match 7-6, 7-5 to Caitlin Bernard. Barbara Mancera also was defeated in straight sets against Xiwei Cai, 6-3, 6-3.
Merzbacher once again was a positive for the Gophers with her victory, which was the last to finish, over Andejelija Bozovic 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Merzbacher has had one of the most impressive seasons in some time for the Gophers. She now holds a record of 17-2 in the spring, and is currently on a six-match winning streak.
Up Next
Minnesota will return home for the final time in the regular season to Baseline Tennis Center next weekend for a pair of tough duals against Ohio State and Penn State. The Gophers will take on the Buckeyes on April 6 at 4:00 p.m. The Nittany Lions will then visit Minneapolis on April 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Indiana 5, Minnesota 2
Doubles
1. Madison Appel/Andejelija Bozovic (IND) def. Caitlyn Merzbacher/Mehvish Safdar (MINN), 6-3
2. Caitlin Bernard/Natalie Whalen (IND) vs Tina Kreinis/Annemarie Emme (MINN), unfinished (4-3)
3. Olga Zavarotnaya/Michelle McKamey (IND) def. River Hart/Caroline Ryba (MINN), 6-2
Singles
1. Madison Appel (IND) def. Caroline Ryba (MINN) 7-6, 6-1
2. Natalie Whalen (IND) def. Tina Kreinis (MINN) 6-3, 6-3
3. Caitlin Bernard (IND) def. Annemarie Emme (MINN) 7-6, 7-5
4. Xiwei Cai (IND) def. Barbara Mancera (MINN) 6-3, 6-3
5. Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) def. Andejelija Bozovic (IND) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
6. Cammy Frei (MINN) def. Olga Zavarotnaya (IND) 6-4, 6-2
Players Mentioned
