IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 61st-ranked University of Iowa women’s tennis team swept Penn State, 4-0, in its home finale on Sunday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.
The victory brings the Hawkeyes’ record to 10-10 overall and 5-4 in Big Ten action.
The Hawkeyes started strong in doubles competition, coming back to capture the point after trailing in a tiebreaker match.
On court two, junior Barbora Pokorna and sophomore Pia Kranholdt captured the first win over Olivia Dorner and Yvonne Zuffova, 6-3, to bring their season record to 11-5.
In the No. 3 position, junior Marisa Schmidt and sophomore Nikita Vishwase fell to Jordina Cegarra Ramirez and Alina Lebedeva, 6-3, evening up the doubles competition.
It came down to sophomore Daianne Hayashida and senior Vipasha Mehra on court one where it was deadlocked at six all against Sofiya Chekhlystova and Karly Friedland. The Hawkeye duo claimed the tiebreaker, 7-5, to give Iowa the 1-0 lead.
The action didn’t stop there, as the Hawkeyes captured three wins in singles at No. 2, 1, and 5 to clinch the win.
At No. 2, Schmidt picked up her 12th victory of the season, downing Olivia Dorner, 6-2, 6-0. Hayashida followed with a straight set win over Sofiya Chekylstova, 6-3, 6-3.
On court five, Mehra went out with a bang in her final home match, downing Karly Friedland, 6-0, 2-6, 6-0 to clinch the team win. The senior now holds an 8-5 record this season, including going 4-1 at home.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH SASHA SCHMID
“We are so proud of our senior, Vippy. It was a great day to honor her, and it was so fitting that she clinched the doubles and singles points today on such a gorgeous day in Iowa City. It was a great team effort and a wonderful way to end our home season at the HTRC. I’m proud of the team and their fight, and it could not have been a better script. We will have a good week of practice and get ready to get on the road and finish with Michigan and Michigan State.”
HEAR FROM SENIOR VIPASHA MEHRA
“First off, I want to mention the night I had with my team at the Senior Night banquet, it was absolutely perfect. I was very emotional about playing today, especially against Penn State since I clinched the point last year against them. I felt I had something to prove. I am really happy I could capture the clinch, and I could not have had a better Senior Day. I am so thankful for everyone.”
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will finish their regular season competition next weekend in Michigan, with a pair of Big Ten duals. Iowa will face Michigan on Saturday and Michigan State on Sunday.
RESULTS
#61 Iowa 4, Penn State 0
Singles Competition
1. Daianne Hayashida (UI) def. Sofiya Chekhylstova (PSU): 6-3, 6-3
2. Marisa Schmidt (UI) def. Olivia Dorner (PSU): 6-2, 6-0
3. Barbora Pokorna (UI) vs. Jordina Cegarra Ramirez (PSU): 5-7, 6-1, 3-0, unfinished
4. Pia Kranholdt (UI) vs. Yvonne Zuffova (PSU): 6-2, 3-6, 3-1, unfinished
5. Vipasha Mehra (UI) def. Karly Friedland (PSU): 6-0, 2-6, 6-0
6. Nikita Vishwase (UI) vs. Alina Lebedeva (PSU): 5-7, 5-5, unfinished
Doubles Competition
1. Daianne Hayashida/Vipasha Mehra (UI) def. Sofiya Chekhlystova/Karly Friedland (PSU): 7-6 (7-5)
2. Barbora Pokorna/Pia Kranholdt (UI) def. Olivia Dorner/Yvonne Zuffova (PSU): 6-3
3. Jordina Cegarra Ramirez/Alina Lebedeva (PSU) def. Marisa Schmidt/Nikita Vishwase (UI): 3-6
Order of Finish: Singles (2,1,5); Doubles (2,3,1)
