April 15, 2012
CHICAGO - The UIC women's tennis team (13-3/6-0 HL) recorded its third Horizon League shutout of the season on Sunday when it took down Youngstown State (1-15/1-5 HL) in a 7-0 decision at the Flames Outdoor Tennis Courts. The Flames have won their last 139 matches against Horizon League foes.
Beginning competition in doubles, UIC came away with the first point after taking three-of-three. Mariya Kovaleva and Haley Craig went to a tiebreaker in their match at No. 1 with Marta Burak and Carolyn Jesko before capturing an 8-7 (2) win for their 19th victory of the season. Teona Tsertsvadze and Elisa Simonetti overpowered Lauren Hankle and Gimena Puppo, 8-1, at No. 2, while Kathryn Sharples and Linda Hricistova took No. 3 by default as the Penguins were without a player.
In singles, the Flames went on to capture six-of-six in straight-set matches. At No. 1, Kovaleva took her first set to a tiebreaker with Burak at No. 1, but was triumphant in a 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory to give Burak her first Horizon League loss at No. 1 this season. Tsertsvadze edged Hankle, 7-5, 6-4, at No. 2, with Craig coming in at No. 3 to take her 20th singles win of the season as she topped Jesko, 6-2, 6-1.
At the No. 4 position, Simonetti downed Puppo in a 6-1, 6-1 decision, as Jana Knoppe upended Jennifer Moore, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 5. Sharples rounded out play as she took the final win at No. 6 by default.
UIC continues Horizon League play on Thursday, April 19, when they hit the road to take Milwaukee at 5 p.m. (CT) at Le Club Sports Club in Milwaukee, Wisc.
UIC 7, Youngstown State 0
Doubles:
1. Kovaleva/Craig (UIC) def. Burak/Jesko (YSU) - 8-7 (2)
2. Tsertsvadze/Simonetti (UIC) def. Hankle/Puppo (YSU) - 8-1
3. Sharples/Hricistova (UIC) wins by default (no player)
Singles:
1. Mariya Kovaleva (UIC) def. Marta Burak (YSU) - 7-6 (3), 6-4
2. Teona Tsertsvadze (UIC) def. Lauren Hankle (YSU) - 7-5, 6-4
3. Haley Craig (UIC) def. Carolyn Jesko (YSU) - 6-2, 6-1
4. Elisa Simonetti (UIC) def. Gimena Puppo (YSU) - 6-1, 6-1
5. Jana Knoppe (UIC) def. Jennifer Moore (YSU) - 6-0, 6-1
6. Kathryn Sharples (UIC) wins by default (no player)
