April 11, 2009
IOWA CITY-
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team was defeated by the Wisconsin Badgers in Iowa City Saturday, 4-3, in their first outdoor meet of the spring season. The loss brings the Hawkeyes to 7-12 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten conference.
After a loss at the No. 2 doubles position by sophomore Alexis Dorr and junior Kelcie Klockenga to Katya Mirnova and Emese Kardhordo, 8-4, Iowa’s No. 1 doubles pair, freshman Sonja Molnar and sophomore Jessica Young, defeated Elizabeth Carpenter and Jessica Seyferth in a dominating match, 8-5. With a split in the first two doubles matches, the doubles point lay on the shoulders of sophomore Lynne Poggensee-Wei and freshman Ally Majercik at the No. 3 position. The Badgers clinched the doubles win with an 8-5 victory over the Iowa duo.
Iowa headed into singles competition down 1-0 to the Badgers. Molnar, ranked No. 87 nationally in singles play, grabbed the first victory for the Hawkeyes, with a win at the No. 1 position over Elizabeth Carpenter 6-0, 6-1. The victory marked the sixteenth of the season for Molnar, and tied the meet at 1-1.
The Badgers reclaimed the lead 2-1 after Katya Mirnova defeated Dorr at the No. 2 position 6-0, 6-4. Majercik fell at the No. 6 spot 6-2, 6-3, to Dana Larsen after a long fought battle. With Wisconsin up 3-1, Iowa needed to win the final three matches to clinch the conference win. Poggensee-Wei kept hopes for the team win alive with a victory over Aleksandra Markovic at the No. 3 position in a three-set match, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Young tied it up with a win at the No. 5 spot over Angela Chupa in a three-set match, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. With teammates and fans lined-up, facing the sun, the meet came down to the clash at the No. 4 position with Klockenga facing Wisconsin’s Jessica Seyferth. The match went through three sets, with Klockenga falling in the first, but building momentum to win the second. Seyferth made a comeback in the third set after trailing the first half. Klockenga ultimately lost, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, giving the Badgers their first Big Ten win of the season.
“We just came out a little too slow today and that hurt us,” said Hawkeye Head Coach Daryl Greenan. “The team did a great job sticking around and fighting, but it was just too little too late. We need to do a better job controlling our energy level and going for our shots as soon as the first ball is hit during the rest of our matches this season.”
Iowa will return to the courts tomorrow, hosting No. 1 Northwestern at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. Competition begins at 11 a.m. Admission is free.
Doubles Competition
1. Jessica Young/Sonja Molnar (Iowa) def. Elizabeth Carpenter/Jessica Seyferth (Wisconsin) 8-5
2. Katya Mirnova/Emese Kardhordo (Wisconsin) def. Alexis Dorr/Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) 8-4
3. Angela Chupa/Aleksandra Markovic (Wisconsin) def. Lynne Poggensee-Wei/Ally Majercik (Iowa) 8-5
Singles Competition
1. #87 Sonja Molnar (Iowa) def. Elizabeth Carpenter (Wisconsin) 6-0, 6-1
2. Katya Mirnova (Wisconsin) def. Alexis Dorr (Iowa) 6-0, 6-4
3. Lynne Poggensee-Wei (Iowa) def. Aleksandra Markovic (Wisconsin) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Jessica Seyferth (Wisconsin) def. Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
5. Jessica Young (Iowa) def. Angela Chupa (Wisconsin) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
6. Dana Larsen (Wisconsin) def. Ally Majercik (Iowa) 6-2, 6-3
Match Notes
Iowa 7-12, 2-6; Not Ranked
Wisconsin 6-13, 1-6; Not Ranked
Order of Finish: Doubles (2,1,3) Singles (1,2,6,3,5,4)