IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa women’s tennis team won its home opener of the 2023 season with a 5-2 victory over Denver on Friday at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex.
The Hawkeyes captured the doubles point with identical 6-3 victories on courts one and three. Vipasha Mehra/Daianne Hayashida first bounced Driscoll/Wikander at No. 3, quickly followed by Marisa Schmidt/Anya Lamoreaux winning at No. 1. Samantha Mannix/Pia Kranholdt were leading their match, 4-3, on court two when Iowa secured the point.
Iowa (2-1) notched singles wins on courts one, two, four, and five. Schmidt (6-2, 6-4), Mannix (6-4, 6-2), and Hayashida (6-3, 7-6) won their respective matches in straight sets. Barbora Pokorna posted Iowa’s fifth point win a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.
Denver (2-1) registered wins on courts three and six.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH SASHA SCHMID
“I thought critical moments tonight were when Samantha, Marisa, and Daianne each closed out their matches in straight sets. I was also happy that in the two singles matches where we lost the first set, Barbora and Vipasha, came back and won their second set. I felt like that was important. That was something we necessarily weren’t doing well the first week of competition. That’s where we need the growth, and I am happy to see that tonight.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes remain home on Sunday against Kansas State. The match is set to start at noon at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex. Admission is free to the public.
RESULT
Iowa 5, Denver 2
SINGLES
1. Marisa Schmidt (UI) def. Taylor Melville (DEN): 6-2, 6-4
2. Samantha Mannix (UI) def. Andrea Burguete (DEN): 6-4, 6-2
3. Britt Pursell (DEN) def. Vipasha Mehra (UI): 6-4, 5-7, 6-1
4. Daianne Hayashida (UI) def. Louise Wikander (DEN): 6-3, 7-6(7)
5. Barbora Pokorna (UI) def. Caroline Driscoll (DEN): 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
6. Claudia Martinez (DEN) def. Pia Kranholdt (UI): 6-0, 6-3
DOUBLES
1. Schmidt/Lamoreaux (UI) vs. Pursell/Burguete (DEN): 6-3
2. Mannix/Kranholdt (UI) vs. Melville/Martinez (DEN): 4-3, unfinished
3. Mehra/Hayashida (UI) def. Driscoll/Wikander (DEN): 6-3
Order of Finish: Singles (6,1,2,4,5,3); Doubles (3,1)