March 1, 2009
IOWA CITY-
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 4-3 in Iowa City Sunday.
Iowa started off neck and neck with Minnesota in the doubles competition. The No. 1 doubles duo of Sonja Molnar and Jessica Young were the first to concede a win, falling 8-4 to Karina Chiarelli and Alessandra Ferrazzi after giving up the lead in the beginning of the match. The Golden Gophers clinched the doubles win with an Iowa loss at the No. 2 position by pair Lynne-Poggensee-Wei and Kelcie Klockenga. The Iowa duo kept the score close, but trailed the duration of the match, and ultimately fell 8-6.
The final doubles match ended in a tiebreaker, with Alexis Dorr and Ally Majercik fighting for an Iowa win at the No. 3 position. The match stayed tied from 2-2, with Iowa finally taking the lead 6-5. Minnesota then fought back, tying it once again at 7-7. This brought the match to a tiebreaker, ending in an Iowa loss 8-7 (7-4), bringing the match to a close, allowing for a Gopher sweep of the doubles competition.
Iowa headed into singles competition down 0-1 in the team standings, but came in with strong determination to win singles matches. Jessica Young grabbed the first Hawkeye win, tying the meet up 1-1, with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Magdalena Wiecha at the No. 5 position. No. 98 Sonja Molnar grabbed her tenth singles win of the season at the No. 1 position, going 6-2, 6-1 over Alessandra Ferrazzi, moving her to a 10-1 season singles record.
Alexis Dorr lost to Karina Chiarelle 7-5, 6-3 at the No. 2 spot, giving Minnesota the opening to tie the match up at 2-2. Lynne Poggensee-Wei gave the Hawkeyes the lead again with a win at the No. 3 position over Niltooli Wilkins in a three set match, 7-5, 0-6, 6-0.
Kelcie Klockenga clinched the win for the Hawkeyes, going 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 at the No. 4 position in an exciting match against Tijana Koprivica. With a Hawkeye win already determined, Ally Majercik retired at the No. 6 position against Jackie Sperling.
“That was another exciting college match for the Hawkeyes,” said Hawkeye Head Coach Daryl Greenan. “The girls did an excellent job responding in singles after being swept in the doubles. They knew it was very close in the doubles and they seemed more determined going in to the singles. This team is getting a little better every weekend whether they win or lose and that is a good feeling. The Big Ten looks strong this year so it is nice to kick conference play off with a win.”
Iowa will return to the courts March 6, traveling to Notre Dame to face the Fighting Irish. Competition is scheduled to being at 3 p.m. in the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
Doubles Competition
1. Karina Chiarelli/Alessandra Ferrazzi (Minnesota) def. Jessica Young/Sonja Molnar (Iowa) 8-4
2. Tijana Koprivica/Niltooli Wilkins (Minnesota) def. Lynne Poggensee-Wei/Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) 8-6
3. Magdalena Wiecha/Jackie Sperling (Minnesota) def. Alexis Dorr/Ally Majercik (Iowa) 8-7 (7-4)
Singles Competition
1. #98 Sonja Molnar (Iowa) def. Alessandra Ferrazzi (Minnesota) 6-2, 6-1
2. Karina Chiarelli (Minnesota) def. Alexis Dorr (Iowa) 7-5, 6-3
3. Lynne Poggensee-Wei (Iowa) def. Niltooli Wilkins (Minnesota) 7-5, 0-6, 6-0
4. Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) def. Tijana Koprivica (Minnesota) 6-4, 0-6, 6-2
5. Jessica Young (Iowa) def. Magdalena Wiecha (Minnesota) 6-0, 6-3
6. Jackie Sperling (Minnesota) def. Ally Majercik (Iowa) 1-6, 6-3, 2-1 (Retired-injury)
Match Notes
University of Iowa 6-5
University of Minnesota 6-4; National Ranking No. 52
Order of Finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (5,1,2,3,4,6)