IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s tennis team improved to 4-1 on the season with a 4-3 win against Indiana on Friday at the Hawkeye Recreation and Tennis Complex.
The Hawkeyes started out the match capturing the doubles point. Elise van Heuvelen and Samantha Gillas got a 6-1 win over Indiana’s Michelle McKamey and Laura Masic at the No. 2 spot. This win puts the duo at 8-1 for the season.
“I think me an Elise just get along really well and our styles complement each other,” said Gillas. “It’s just all about going out every doubles match with a fresh start and playing our game because we know that when we do what we need to do we can compete with anyone.”
Vipasha Mehra and Danielle Bauers clinched the doubles point with at 6-3 win at the No. 3 spot.
Freshman Alexa Noel opened the singles scoring with a straight-set win over Annabelle Andrinopoulos, 6-1, 6-0, at the No. 1 spot. Noel improved to 11-0 on the season. Gillas gave the Hawkeyes a 3-0 lead after defeating Xaiowei Hu 6-3, 6-2, at the No. 6 spot.
Indiana battled back with wins at No. 3, No. 4. And No. 5 spot. Samantha Mannix fell to Alexandra Staiculescu 6-3, 6-4, at No. 3, and Mehra fell to Jelly Bozovic 6-3, 6-0, at the No. 4 spot. Michelle Bacalla fell in a three-set nail bitter to Michelle McKamey, 4-6, 7-5, 10-4 at the No. 5 spot.
Elise van Heuvelen clinched the Hawkeyes’ win with a 6-2, 6-2 straight-set win over Laura Masic in the No. 2 position. Van Heuvelen is only one singles win away from tying for fifth overall in all-time wins (84).
“It’s exciting for what’s ahead and it’s exciting for what we can do as a team,” said van Heuvelen. “I don’t think we were full power today, but every match is different but the mindset stays the same. We were happy to get the win. I don’t think we were fully satisfied with it, but we just go out tomorrow and have a good practice and be ready for Purdue.”
QUOTING @SASHASCHMID
“I think we are at a critical moment with the team and we have the second half of the Big Ten season in front of us and I think we have to continue to work on getting better. I hope we come out on Sunday with a sense of urgency and continue to do well on all courts.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host Purdue on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. (CT) at the Hawkeye Recreation and Tennis Complex.
Iowa 4, Indiana 3
Feb. 26, 2021 | 3 p.m. | Iowa City, Iowa | Hawkeye Recreation Tennis Complex
SINGLES
- #97 Alexa Noel (IA) def. Annabelle Andrinopoulos (IND): 6-1, 6-0
- Elise van Heuvelen Treadwell (IA) def. Laura Masic (IND): 6-2, 6-2
- Alexandra Staiculescu (IND) def. Samantha Mannix (IA): 6-3, 6-4
- Jelly Bozovic (IND) def. Vipasha Mehra (IA): 6-3, 6-0
- Michelle McKamey (IND) def. Michelle Bacalla (IA): 4-6, 7-5, 10-4
- Samantha Gillas (IA) def. Xaiowei Hu (IND): 6-3, 6-2
DOUBLES
- Noel/Mannix (IA) vs. Andrinopoulos/Bozovic (IND): unfinished
- Van Heuvelen /Gillas (IA) def. Masic/McKamey(IND): 6-1
- Bauers/Mehra (IA) def. Hernandez/Hu (IND): 6-3
Order of Finish: Doubles: (2,3); Singles: (1,6,4,2,3,5)
