IOWA CITY – The 61st-ranked University of Iowa women’s tennis team dropped a 4-1 Big Ten dual against No. 16 Ohio State on Friday night at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.
The loss drops the Hawkeyes’ record to 9-10 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten action.
Iowa opened the day strong, winning two tiebreaker matches and earning the doubles point.
Junior Marisa Schmidt and sophomore Nikita Vishwase captured the first win in the No. 3 spot over pair Alessia Cau and Madeline Atway, 6-4.
Following the win at No. 3, courts one and two were deadlocked at six all.
At No. 2, junior Barbora Pokorna and sophomore Pia Kranholdt fought, but fell in the tiebreaker to Sydni Ratliff and Audrey Spencer, 7-6.
At the top spot, sophomore Daianne Hayashida and senior Vipasha Mehra captured the doubles point with a 7-6 (9-7) victory over No. 31 Irina Cantos and Luciana Perry.
The Buckeyes captured the dual win with four singles victories at No. 2, 3, 4, and 6.
Although the match went unfinished due to Ohio State’s victory, Mehra secured a win in her first set in the No. 5 spot over Teah Chaves, 7-5.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH SASHA SCHMID
“It was a good hard-fought match, I am proud of the team for being able to play in some adverse, windy conditions and get the doubles point; that was exciting. We struggled to get some first sets in the singles matches, Ohio State is a great team, credit to them. I think there is a lot to take away from today, and I believe we will regroup for a competitive Penn State team on Sunday for a beautiful Senior Day to celebrate Vipasha.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will finish home competition on Sunday morning at the HTRC. Iowa will recognize its lone senior, Vipasha Mehra, prior to the dual against Penn State.
RESULTS
#16 Ohio State 4, #61 Iowa 1
Singles Competition
1. #15 Irina Cantos (OSU) vs. Daianne Hayashida (UI): 7-5, 3-4, unfinished
2. #47 Luciana Perry (OSU) def. Marisa Schmidt (UI): 6-1, 6-3
3. #113 Sydni Ratliff (OSU) def. Barbora Pokorna (UI): 6-3, 6-1
4. Shelly Berezynak (OSU) def. Pia Kranholdt (UI): 6-1, 6-1
5. Vipasha Mehra (UI) vs. Teah Chavez (OSU): 7-5, 3-6, unfinished
6. Audrey Spencer (OSU) def. Jessica Matthews (UI): 6-4, 6-3
Doubles Competition
1. Daianna Hayashida/Vipasha Mehra (UI) def. #31 Irina Cantos/Luciana Perry (OSU): 7-6 (9-7)
2. Sydni Ratliff/Audrey Spencer (OSU) def. Barbora Pokorna/Pia Kranholdt (UI): 6-7 (3-7)
3. Marisa Schmidt/Nikita Vishwase (UI) def. Alessia Cau/Madeline Atway (OSU): 6-4
Order of Finish: Singles (2,3,4,6); Doubles (3,2,1)
