University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
University of Illinois
Gophers Downed by Illinois on the Road
4/13/2018 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Champaign, Ill. - After a strong weekend at home, the University of Minnesota women's tennis team (13-9, 5-3 Big Ten) fell to conference foe Illinois (18-3, 7-2 Big Ten) 6-1 at Atkins Tennis Center.
"Losing the doubles point really put us in a hole early," head coach Catrina Thompson said. "We will have to move on from this performance and shift our focus to Northwestern on Sunday."
Doubles
The Gophers were unable to pick up the doubles point for the first time March 25 against Indiana. The Illini would take No. 1 and No. 3 doubles to earn the point. Tina Kreinis and Annemarie Emme combined to win the No. 2 doubles match by a score of 6-2.
Singles
Minnesota would get off to a slow start in singles, and it would eventually catch up to them. Illinois picked up five first sets. Then went on to win in three of the second sets to clinch the dual and end it early.
In the loss three Gophers were unable to finish their singles matches. Caroline Ryba was unable to finish her match against No. 86 Jaclyn Switkes after playing well in the second set. Caitlyn Merzbacher was unable to capitalize on winning the first set of her match, keeping her record at 19-2 this spring. Emme was also unable to finish her match in the No. 3 spot as it was suspended late in the second set.
Up Next
Minnesota will remain in Illinois for the remainder of the weekend, setting up a Sunday dual against No. 12 Northwestern on Sunday starting at 11:00 a.m.
#14 Illinois 4, Minnesota 0
Singles
1. #86 Jaclyn Switkes (ILL) vs. Caroline Ryba (MINN) 6-3, 3-3, unfinished
2. Asuka Kawai (ILL) def. Tina Kreinis (MINN) 6-1, 6-4
3. Daniela Novak (ILL) vs. Annemarie Emme (MINN) 7-6 (7-1), 5-1, unfinished
4. Mia Rabinowitz (ILL) def. Barbara Mancera (MINN) 6-1, 6-4
5. Sasha Belaya (ILL) vs. Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) 5-7, 4-3, unfinished
6. Emilee Duong (ILL) def. Cammy Frei (MINN) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. #44 Sasha Belaya/Daniela Novak (ILL) def. Mehvish Safdar/Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) 6-2
2. Tina Kreinis/Annemarie Emme (MINN) def. Emilee Duong/Jaclyn Switkes (ILL) 6-2
3. Asuka Kawai/Mia Rabinowitz (ILL) def. River Hart/Caroline Ryba (MINN) 6-1
Match Notes:
Minnesota 13-9, 5-2
Illinois 18-3, 7-2; National ranking #14
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,4,2)
Players Mentioned
