March 27, 2009
IOWA CITY-
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team was defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes in Iowa City today, 6-1. This brings the Hawkeyes to 7-8 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten conference.
Iowa dropped all three of their doubles matches against the Buckeyes. Alexis Dorr and Jennifer Barnes were the first to concede the win, falling 8-3 at the No. 3 position. The Buckeyes clinched the doubles win with a loss by Lynne Poggensee-Wei and Kelcie Klockenga at the No. 2 spot, 8-5. No. 1 doubles pair of Sonja Molnar and Jessica Young tried fighting for a sole Hawkeye win at the No. 1 position, leading in the first half of the match. Ohio State, #80 Christina Keesey and Angela DiPastina, tied the match 6-6 gaining momentum and keeping Iowa at bay. The match ended in a tiebreaker, the final score 8-7 (7-5), bringing the match to a close and giving the Buckeyes a solid sweep of the doubles competition.
The Hawkeyes headed into the singles competition down 1-0 in team standings to the No. 41 Buckeyes. Jennifer Barnes was the first to complete her match, falling to Angela DiPastina 6-1, 6-1 at the No. 6 position. Lynne Pogensee-Wei nabbed the first win for the Hawkeyes, defeating Cami Hubbs at the No. 3 position 6-4, 6-3, bringing the overall score to 2-1 in favor of the Buckeyes.
After a long fought battle #92 Sonja Molnar fell to Kirsten Flower in two long sets. She was defeated 6-3, 7-5 at the No. 1 position, marking only her third loss of the season.
Iowa showed strong determination in the final three matches, fighting to win each and earn the overall victory, but Ohio State proved to be too tough. Alexis Dorr fell to Paloma Escobedo at the No. 2 spot, 6-3, 6-3, while Kelcie Klockenga fought it out at the No. 4 position against Christina Keesey, ultimately falling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a three set match. The last Hawkeye to leave the courts was Jessica Young, who was defeated by Julie Blackmore 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 at the No. 5 spot.
“We lost a battle to a tough Ohio State team today,” said Hawkeye Head Coach Daryl Greenan. “We all hate to lose but I am happy with the way that we are competing, and we just need to carry that competitiveness over into Sunday’s match against Penn State. We need to do a better job starting points in doubles and cut down on our return errors, but overall our girls have nothing to be ashamed of. They left it all on the court.”
Iowa will return to the courts Sunday, hosting the Penn State Nittany Lions. Competition will begin at 11 a.m. at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Admission is free.
Doubles Competition
1. #80 Christina Keesey/Angela DiPastina (Ohio State) def. Jessica Young/Sonja Molnar (Iowa) 8-7 (7-5)
2. Cami Hubbs/Julie Blackmore (Ohio State) def. Lynne Poggensee-Wei/Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) 8-5
3. Kirsten Flower/Paloma Escobedo (Ohio State) def. Alexis Dorr/Jennifer Barnes (Iowa) 8-3
Singles Competition
1. Kirsten Flower (Ohio State) def. #92 Sonja Molnar (Iowa) 6-3, 7-5
2.) Paloma Escobedo (Ohio State) def. Alexis Dorr (Iowa) 6-3, 6-3
3. Lynne Poggensee-Wei (Iowa) def. Cami Hubbs (Ohio State) 6-4, 6-3
4. Christina Keesey (Ohio State) def. Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Julie Blackmore (Ohio State) def. Jessica Young (Iowa) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
6. Angela DiPastina (Ohio State) def. Jennifer Barnes (Iowa) 6-1, 6-1
Match Notes
Iowa 7-8, 2-2; National ranking 63
Ohio State 9-6, 3-0; National ranking 41
Order of Finish: Doubles (3,2,1) Singles (6,3,1,2,4,5)
Admission: 75