May 14, 2010
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SOUTH BEND, IN – The No. 21 University of Iowa women’s tennis team could not overcome No. 47 Boise State in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Hawkeyes competed in South Bend Friday, falling to the Broncos, 4-1.
Senior Kelcie Klockenga and junior Jessica Young secured an Iowa doubles victory to start the day. The teammates improved their record to 24-10 after the 9-7 win over Elyse Edward and Bianca Jochimsen. Playing in the number three spot, the duo has won their last five matches, including a clutch win over Denise Muresan and Tania Mahtani of Michigan in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
Sophomore Sonja Molnar, ranked 67th by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, overpowered 49th ranked Pichittra Thongdach for the upset victory. The Hawkeye earned the victory in straight sets. Molnar took the first set 6-3. Thongdach challenged in the second set, but could not overcome Molnar’s perseverance. The Guelph, Ontario native earned the 7-6 decision, improving to 27-9 overall.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Boise State,” Head Coach Katie Dougherty said. “They really came out and battled. They played a great tie breaker and were able to convert. The doubles point was huge for them. We started slow in singles, and they were just a little bit better than we were today. I am very proud of our team, and especially proud of how far they’ve come this season.”
Dougherty and her team end the season with a 17-7 record, the best an Iowa team has ever finished under a first year head coach. The Hawkeyes also held the No. 18 spot on the national rankings earlier in the season, another notable program best.
Senior Merel Beelen and doubles teammate Molnar will compete in the doubles NCAA tournament May 26-31 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA. The 14th ranked duo was selected to compete in the singles and doubles NCAA tournament after posting a 16-4 record.
Singles Results
1. #67 Sonja Molnar (IOWA) def. #49 Pichittra Thongdath (BSU) 6-3, 7-6
2. Lauren Megale (BSU) def. Lynne Poggensee-Wei (IOWA) 6-3, 7-6
3. Bianca Jochimsen (BSU) def. Merel Beelen (IOWA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
4. Jessica Young (IOWA) v. Stephanie Jasper (BSU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-5 unfinished
5. Elyse Edward (BSU) def. Kelcie Klockenga (IOWA) 6-2, 7-5
6. Alexis Dorr (IOWA) v. Marlena Pietzuch (BSU) 1-6, 6-4, 3-4 unfinished
Doubles Results
1. #45 Thongdach/Megale (BSU) def. #14 Beelen/Molnar (IOWA) 9-8 (7-5)
2. Jasper/Pietzuch (BSU) def. Dorr/Poggensee-Wei (IOWA) 8-5
3. Klockenga/Young (IOWA) def. Jochimsen/Edward (BSU) 9-7