IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s tennis team wrapped up day three at the ITA Central Regional Championships playing eight singles matches and one doubles match at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex.
In singles competition, Samantha Mannix lost in the Round 32 against No. 68 Malika Ngounoue of Kansas (6-3, 7-6). The senior retired for the rest of tournament play.
Barbora Pokorna came into the third day with two wins under her belt. The freshman faced Kansas State’s Karine-Marion Job, ranked 114th, but fell 6-2, 7-5. She also retired for the rest of tournament play.
Three other Hawkeyes competed in extra singles matches on Sunday.
Samantha Gillas beat Saint Louis University’s Lizzie Barlow (7-5, 7-5). The senior then faced off against North Dakota’s Sapir Sela and fell in three sets (1-6, 6-1, 10-8).
Michelle Bacalla recorded a pair of wins on Sunday, first outlasting Harriet Hamilton of Wichita State (6-2, 1-6, 12-10) and then scored the final three points in the second set against North Dakota’s Andrea Jansson in a 6-3, 6-4 triumph.
“This is an opportunity to play”, said Bacalla. “I need to give it my all. If I don’t, then I am missing out on something that I can grow on and something that will affect the future of the season. I have been working through a lot of mental toughness and physical mentality, and I really wanted to win.”
Vipasha Mehra fell in a tight match to Lucy Loy of Nebraska (4-6, 7-5, 10-3), but turned around in her second match to defeat Omaha’s Addison Miller (7-6, 6-3).
The tandem of Gillas/Mannix lost to top-seeded Rice/Cross of Arkansas in Round 16. The pair lost (8-2) to wrap up their doubles play of the tournament.
The tournament continues through Monday, with 27 different schools within the region competing. Admission is free to the public.
SINGLES MAIN DRAW:
R32: #68 Malkia Ngounoue (KU) def. Samantha Mannix (UI): 6-3, 7-6(3)
R32: #114 Karine-Marion Job (KSU) def. Barbora Pokorna (UI): 6-2, 7-5
EXTRA BRACKET:
Lucy Loy (UNL) def. Vipasha Mehra (UI): 4-6, 7-5, 10-3
Vipasha Mehra (UI) def. Addison Miller (UNO): 7-6(3), 6-3
Michelle Bacalla (UI) def. Harriet Hamilton (WSU): 6-2, 1-6, 12-10
Michelle Bacalla (UI) def. Andrea Jansson (UND): 6-3, 6-4
Samantha Gillas (UI) def. Lizzie Barlow (SLU): 7-5, 7-5
Sapir Sela (UND) def. Samantha Gillas (UI): 6-1, 1-6, 10-8
DOUBLES MAIN DRAW:
R16: Rice/Cross (ARK) def. Mannix/Gillas (UI): 8-2