2024-02-24 22:23:39
MEMPHIS – The University of Utah women’s tennis program snagged their fifth win of the season on Saturday afternoon, narrowly defeating Minnesota with a tight 4-3 scoreline.
“Great resilience from the team today against a good Minnesota team that was ready to battle,” said head coach Ric Mortera. “It was not our best match, but we found a way to win and competed well on most courts. We showed some young moments on a few courts but I look forward to seeing how they grow from that. Great opportunity tomorrow against Memphis, excited to celebrate and recover from today and be ready for tomorrow.”
Utah 4, Minnesota 3
The Utes started off strong in doubles, as Utah duo Kat Lyman and Yuhan Liu defeated Minnesota’s Sofia Pinto and Aiva Schmitz 6-2 in the third spot. Ana Luiza Cruz and Marcela Lopez partnered up on the No. 1 court, securing the doubles point with a 6-3 victory over Emma Belluomini and Anali Kocevar. Sara Akid and Kaila Barksdale held a 4-3 lead on the second court, but the match was left unfinished.
Utah battled hard in singles. Lyman collected the first singles win for the Utes in the No. 5 spot, defeating Sofia Pinto 6-2, 6-2. Next to finish was Emma Kamper, who fell to Schmitz on the fourth court 6-2, 6-2. On the No. 3 court, Liu was defeated by Belluomini 6-2, 6-2 which evened the score at 2-2.
In the second spot, Barksdale grabbed a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Mia Liepert. Akid fought hard on the No. 6 court forcing the match to a third set, but was defeated by Zeyneb Sarioglan 6-4, 0-6, 6-2. With the score sitting at 3-3, Lopez overcame a deficit to force her match to a full three sets, clinching the match-winning point via a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Kocevar on the first court.
UP NEXT
The Utes will next play Memphis on Sunday Feb. 25, before heading to San Diego for a pair of matches against UCSD and SDSU Mar. 1-3.
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Fans can follow along during the 2024 season on social media (Twitter: @UtahTennis | Instagram: @UtahTennis | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utahmenstennis).
DOUBLES DRAWS
1 Ana Luiza Cruz and Marcela Lopez (UU) def. Emma Belluomini and Anali Kocevar (UMN) 6-3
2 Sara Akid and Kaila Barksdale (UU) vs. Mia Liepert and Zeyneb Sarioglan (UMN) match was unfinished 4-3
3 Yuhan Liu and Cat Lyman (UU) def. Sophia Pinto and Aiva Schmitz (UMN) 6-2
SINGLES DRAWS
1 Marcela Lopez (UU) def. It was Kocevar (UMN) 3-6 6-4 6-4
2 Kayla Barksdale (UU) def. Mia Liepert (UMN) 6-3 6-4
3 Emma Belluomini (UMN) def. Yuhan Liu (UU) 6-2 6-2
4 Aiva Schmitz (UMN) def. Emma Kamper (UU) 6-2 6-2
5 Kat Lyman (UU) def. Sofia Pinto (UMN) 6-2 6-2
6 Zeyneb Sarioglan (UMN) def. Sara Akid (UU) 6-4 0-6 6-2
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