MADISON, Wisconsin — The University of Iowa women’s tennis team fell to No. 13 Ohio State, 4-2, in the Big Ten semifinals on Saturday afternoon.
The Buckeyes, who are seeded No. 1 in the tournament, captured the doubles point. Elise van Heuvelen and Samantha Gillas fell to Ohio State’s Lucia Marzal and Lisa Hofbauer, 6-1, at the No. 2 spot. Danielle Bauers and Vipasha Mehra fell to No. 85 Luna Dormet and Irina Cantos Siemers, 6-2, at the No. 3 spot to capture the doubles point.
Ohio State kept their win streak alive winning the momentum in singles winning the first two matches. Lucia Marzal defeated Iowa’s Michelle Bacalla, 6-2, 6-1, at the No. 5 spot. Shortly after, Vipasha Mehra fell to Luna Dormet, 6-0, 6-3, at the No. 6 spot.
No. 18 Alexa Noel continued her undefeated season at the No. 1 spot, defeating No.15 Irina Cantos Siemers, 6-1, 6-2. The freshman is now 23-0, winning 21 of 23 matches in straight sets.
Samantha Mannix pulled Iowa within one with a straight set against Kolie Allen in a close battle 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), at the No. 3 spot.
No. 114 Elise van Heuvelen won her first set, but fell to Isabelle Boulais,1-6, 6-3, 6-4, at the No. 2 spot to give the Buckeyes the semifinal victory.
QUOTING @SASHASCHMID
“This was a huge heartbreaker. I think the team put themselves in a position to get four points today and unfortunately we didn’t get to the finish line in a couple of spots. I think we definitely had some opportunities and so now you wait to see if our name comes up on the screen Monday evening. I hope our team gets the opportunity to play more and that our team is elected for the NCAA tournament. We will learn our fate on Monday evening.”
UP NEXT
The 2021 D1 women’s tennis championship selections with be announced at 6 p.m. ET on May 3. The show will stream live on NCAA.com.
Iowa 2, Ohio State 4
May 1, 2021 | 2 p.m. | Madison, Wisconsin | Nielsen Tennis Stadium
SINGLES
1. #18 Alexa Noel (IOWA) def. #15 Irina Cantos Siemers (OSU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Isabelle Boulais (OSU) def. #114 Elise van Heuvelen (IOWA) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. Samantha Mannix (IOWA) def. Kolie Allen (OSU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
4. Lisa Hofbauer (OSU) vs. Samantha Gilas (IOWA) 7-6 (7-5), 5-5, unfinished
5. Lucia Marzal (OSU) def. Michelle Bacalla (IOWA) 6-2, 6-1
6. Luna Dormet (OSU) def. Vipasha Mehra (IOWA) 6-0, 6-3
DOUBLES
1. #50 Isabelle Boulais/Kolie Allen (OSU) vs. Alexa Noel/Samantha Mannix (IOWA) 3-4, unfinished
2. Lucia Marzal/Lisa Hofbauer (OSU) def. Elise van Heuvelen/Samantha Gilas (IOWA) 6-1
3. #85 Luna Dormet/Irina Cantos Siemers (OSU) def. Danielle Bauers/Vipasha Mehra (IOWA) 6-2
Order of Finish: Doubles: (2,3); Singles: (5,6,1,3,2)