3 Hawkeyes Advance to Semis of Gopher Invite

Sept. 14, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Iowa women’s tennis team posted a 7-1 singles record at Gopher Invitational today. Junior Christina Harazin, sophomore Morven McCulloch and freshman Annette Dohanics all advanced to the semifinals of their respective brackets.

McCulloch won a pair of three-set victories to advance to the semifinals of the Gold Singles Flight. She dropped the opening set against Hanna Dake of Air Force, 6-3, before bouncing back with consecutive wins (6-2, 6-4) to advance to the quarterfinals, where she topped Paula Rincon-Otero of Minnesota 6-2, 5-7, and 6-3.

Harazin and Dohanics both recorded straight-set decisions to advance to the semifinals of the Maroon Singles Flight. Harazin defeated Annie Mahoney of Gustavus Adolphus (6-2, 6-0) and Mariya Toncheva of Eastern Michigan (7-5, 6-2). Dohanics picked up a pair of wins in her Hawkeye debut, topping Tasha Hueffner of Air Force (6-3, 6-1) and Kelly Fritz of UM-Milwaukee (6-0, 6-2).

Freshman Caitlin Hindmarsh split a pair of decisions in the Gold Singles Flight. Hindmarsh dropped a straight-set decision to Maddy Soule of UM-Milwaukee (6-4, 6-2) in her collegiate debut, but rebounded with a dominating straight-set decision over Michaela Burroughs of St. Catherine, 6-0, 6-1, in the consolation bracket.

“We did a good job in singles today, getting better every match,” said head coach Katie Dougherty. “We need to come out with more urgency in doubles tomorrow and be more aggressive. Overall, a good start to the fall season for us today.”

The Hawkeyes dropped a pair of decisions in the Gold Doubles Flight. Sophomore Ellen Silver and Hindmarsh lost to Klara Supejova and Mariya Toncheva of Eastern Michigan, 8-5. Dohanics and Harazin lost to Hannah Dake and Melissa Cecil of Air Force, 8-2. Both doubles teams resume play tomorrow at 9 a.m. The singles tournament will follow at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Singles
Morven McCulloch (Iowa) def. Hanna Dake (Air Force), 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
Morven McCulloch (Iowa) def. Paula Rincon-Otero (Minnesota), 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
Maddy Soule (UM-Milwaukee) def. Caitlin Hindmarsh (Iowa), 6-4, 6-2
Caitlin Hindmarsh (Iowa) def. Michaela Burroughs (St. Catherine), 6-0, 6-1
Annette Dohanics (Iowa) def. Tasha Hueffner (Air Force), 6-3, 6-1
Annette Dohanics (Iowa) def. Kelly Fritz (UM-Milwaukee), 6-0, 6-2
Christina Harazin (Iowa) def. Annie Mahoney (Gustavus Adolphus), 6-2, 6-0
Christina Harazin (Iowa) def. Mariya Toncheva (Eastern Michigan), 7-5, 6-2

Doubles
Supejova/Toncheva (Eastern Michigan) def. Silver/Hindmarsh (Iowa), 8-5
Dake/Cecil (Air Force) def. Dohanics/Harazin (Iowa), 8-2