April 19, 2013
VALPARAISO, Ind. - The UIC women's tennis team (14-5, 6-1 HL) brought the regular season to a close Friday as it blanked Valparaiso, 7-0, at the Valpo Tennis Complex. In addition to taking the Horizon League regular-season crown, the win guarantees the Flames a No. 1 seed in the postseason tournament.
UIC came out strong from the start to collect wins at all three doubles positions. While defeating their opponents by 8-0 finals, Jana Knoppe and Kathryn Sharples took down Kaitlyn Hamel and Megan Barthels at No. 2 and Natalia Kuvakina and Ann-Sophie Hahn bested Lauren Kammerer and Angelina Goheen at No. 3.
The final win came from Haley Craig and Mariana Palacios as they collected an 8-3 win against Kristin Zakiewicz and Michele Fredlake at No. 1.
In singles, the Flames held the Crusaders to no more than one point at all six positions. Craig took a quick 6-0, 6-0 win over Zakiewicz at No. 1 and Hahn also swept Kammerer, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 6.
Palacios came away with a 6-1, 6-1 win against Hamel at No. 2, as Kuvakina topped Fredlake, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 3. Knoppe tallied a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 4 versus Barthels, while Sharples came in with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Goheen at No. 5.
The Flames now look to collect their 17th-consecutive title at the Horizon League Championship, scheduled to take place April 26-28 at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
UIC 7, Valparaiso 0
Singles:
1. Haley Craig (UIC) def. Kristin Zakiewicz (VALPO) 6-0, 6-0
2. Mariana Palacios (UIC) def. Kaitlyn Hamel (VALPO) 6-1, 6-1
3. Natalia Kuvakina (UIC) def. Michele Fredlake (VALPO) 6-1, 6-0
4. Jana Knoppe (UIC) def. Megan Barthels (VALPO) 6-1, 6-0
5. Kathryn Sharples (UIC) def. Angelina Goheen (VALPO) 6-0, 6-1
6. Ann-Sophie Hahn (UIC) def. Lauren Kammerer (VALPO) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles:
1. Haley Craig/Mariana Palacios (UIC) def. Kristin Zakiewicz/Michele Fredlake (VALPO) 8-3
2. Jana Knoppe/Kathryn Sharples (UIC) def. Kaitlyn Hamel/Megan Barthels (VALPO) 8-0
3. Natalia Kuvakina/Ann-Sophie Hahn (UIC) def. Lauren Kammerer/Angelina Goheen (VALPO) 8-0
