Hawkeyes Drop 4-3 Decision to Ohio State

Stats

April 1, 2012

Box Score

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s tennis team fell to Ohio State (6-12, 1-4 Big Ten), 4-3, on Sunday outdoors on the Klotz Outdoor Tennis Courts at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. The Hawkeyes fell to 7-9 overall, 1-4 in the Big Ten and 6-1 at home this season.

Iowa surrendered the doubles points, as the Buckeyes took two-of-three matches. Senior Sonja Molnar and freshman Morven McCulloch earned the Hawkeyes’ win at the No. 1 position. The pair beat Fidan Manashirova and Gabby Steele, 8-6, to improve to 2-3 in dual play.

In singles, Molnar tied the score at one with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Kara Cecil at the No. 1 spot. Molnar paces Iowa with a 12-4 dual record (3-2 Big Ten) that includes three straight triumphs. The Guelph, Ontario, native was tabbed No. 115 in the latest ITA singles poll.

Freshman Katie Zordani gave the Hawkeyes their first lead of the match at 2-1. Zordani topped Manashrirova, 6-3, 6-4, at the No. 3 position. The Lake Forest, Ill., native moved to 8-8 in dual play with the win.

Fellow freshman Ellen Silver closed the Iowa scoring with a win at the No. 6 spot. Silver, 6-10 in dual play, defeated Tiffany Dittmer, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Ohio State has been ranked as high as No. 54 in the ITA team poll this season.

The Hawkeyes resume Big Ten play next weekend at No. 41 Indiana and No. 33 Purdue. Iowa will face the Hoosiers on April 7 at 11 a.m. (CT) in Bloomington, Ind., before squaring off against the Boilermakers on April 8 at noon (CT) in West Lafayette, Ind.

Ohio State (6-12, 1-4) – 4
Iowa (7-9, 1-4) – 3

Singles
1. #115 Sonja Molnar (IOWA) def. Kara Cecil (OSU), 6-2, 6-2
2. Kelsey Haviland (OSU) def. Shelby Talcott (IOWA), 6-4, 7-5
3. Fidan Manashirova (OSU) def. Morven McCulloch (IOWA), 6-4, 6-0
4. Katie Zordani (IOWA) def. Gabby Steele (OSU), 6-3, 6-4
5. Kelsey Dieters (OSU) def. Christina Harazin (IOWA), 6-2, 7-6
6. Ellen Silver (IOWA) def. Tiffany Dittmer (OSU), 3-6, 7-6, 6-2

Doubles
1. Morven McCulloch/Sonja Molnar (IOWA) def. Fidan Manashirova/Gabby Steele (OSU), 8-6
2. Kara Cecil/Kelsey Haviland (OSU) def. Ellen Silver/Katie Zordani (IOWA), 8-6
3. Kelsey Dieters/Tiffany Dittmer (OSU) def. Ally Majercik/Shelby Talcott (IOWA), 8-3