University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
University of Maryland
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Gophers Ousted by Maryland in Big Ten Tournament
4/26/2018 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Minneapolis, Minn. - The University of Minnesota women's tennis team was unable to advance out of the first round of the 2018 Big Ten Tournament after Maryland took the opening round match 4-2 at Baseline Tennis Center on Thursday morning.
"You have to give credit to Maryland," head coach Catrina Thompson said after the match. "They came out aggressive in doubles and we were a little passive in doubles and it hurt to lose that point. Like I said, credit to Maryland because they played well across their lineup to get the win today."
The Gophers earned two team points in singles play with wins from junior Caitlyn Merzbacher and sophomore Cammy Frei in the No. 5 and No. 6 spot.
Doubles
It was another back and forth doubles point for the Golden Gophers, as they earned a quick win in No. 2 doubles, but not before Maryland surged or the other two wins to take the point. Tina Kreinis and Annemarie Emme combined to earn the win in No. 2 doubles, winning relatively easily 6-1 over Arnelle Sullivan and Ekaterina Tour.
Singles
It wasn't long before the Gophers would climb back into the match with a win at No. 5 singles. In dominating fashion, Merzbacher raced out to a 6-1 first set win before taking the match in straight sets with a 6-0 win in the second set.
"I'm happy with how I competed today," Merzbacher said after the match. "Just having the mentality to leave it all on the court. I trusted the process of our practices all year long and I think it really helped me get the win today."
The bottom of the order continued to play well for Minnesota as it has all season. Frei was able to control the majority of her match, earning a 6-2 first set win before taking care of Kate Yemelyanenka in the second set 6-4.
Minnesota was defeated in the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles matches, which was enough for the Maryland Terrapins to earn the win and stop the match to advance to tomorrow's second round matchup with No. 1 seed Northwestern.
Up Next
Minnesota heads into the offseason with the loss to Maryland. The Gophers finish the season with a 14-12 record, earning their most wins since 2014-15 when the team won 17 matches. The Gophers graduate two seniors in Caroline Ryba and Mehvish Safdar who both were contributors to No. 1 singles and doubles this season.
Maryalnd 4, Minnesota 2
Singles competition
1. Ekaterina Tour (UMD) def. Caroline Ryba (MINN) 6-3, 6-4
2. Eva Alexandrova (UMD) def. Tina Kreinis (MINN) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
3. Millie Stretton (UMD) def. Annemarie Emme (MINN) 6-1, 6-2
4. Barbara Mancera (MINN) vs. Arnelle Sullivan (UMD) 5-7, 6-1, 3-3, unfinished
5. Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) def. Zoe Kulkarni (UMD) 6-1, 6-0
6. Cammy Frei (MINN) def. Kate Yemelyanenka (UMD) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Millie Stretton/Eva Alexandrova (UMD) def. Mehvish Safdar/Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) 6-3
2. Tina Kreinis/Annemarie Emme (MINN) def. Arnelle Sullivan/Ekaterina Tour (UMD) 6-1
3. Saya Usui/Kate Yemelyanenka (UMD) def. Caroline Ryba/River Hart (MINN) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (5,3,6,1,2)