ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Iowa women’s tennis team completed day one at the ITA Sectional Championships, facing off against opponents from Texas A&M, Northwestern, Illinois and Michigan.
In singles play, Tereza Dejnozkova delivered a gritty comeback, overcoming Illinois’ McKenna Schaefbauer in a three-set thriller, 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1). With the victory, Dejnozkova moves on to the Round of 16, where she will face Houston’s Santa Strombacha.
Meanwhile, Daianne Hayashida and Marisa Schmidt each battled strong competitors. Hayashida took her match to three sets against Texas A&M’s Daria Smetannikov but fell in a close finish, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5). Schmidt also put up a strong effort but lost to Northwestern’s Lau Britany, 6-1, 6-3.
In doubles, Hayashida and Schmidt teamed up but were bested by Michigan’s Lily Jones and Jessica Bernales, 6-1, 6-4.
The Hawkeyes will resume singles and doubles play tomorrow.
“It was a great first day with many competitive matches here in Ann Arbor,” said head coach Sasha Boros-Schmid. Both Daianne and Tereza played hard-fought matches, each going all the way to a third-set tiebreaker. Daianne came up just a couple of points short, but there were a lot of positive takeaways from her performance. We’ll be back on court tomorrow with consolation singles and doubles, and Tereza will compete in the Round of 16 in the main draw. Everyone has great tennis ahead of them tomorrow.”
Doubles Results
Lily Jones/Jessica Bernales (Michigan) def. Daianne Hayashida/Marisa Schmidt (Iowa): 6-1, 6-4
Singles Results
Daria Smetannikov (Texas A&M) def. Daianne Hayashida (Iowa): 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)
Lau Britany (Northwestern) def. Marisa Schmidt (Iowa): 6-1, 6-3
Tereza Dejnozkova (Iowa) def. McKenna Schaefbauer (Illinois): 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1)