Tennis Continues its Winning Ways with 6-1 Victory over Akron

Friday, March 30

Perrysburg, OH

1:00PM

Bowling Green State University

University of Akron

March 30, 2018 | Women's Tennis

By: Jenna Jorgensen (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications)

PERRYSBURG, Ohio – The Bowling Green tennis program (11-5, 3-0 MAC) extended its win streak to five straight on Friday afternoon as it downed Akron (12-9, 1-2 MAC) by a score of 6-1 in Mid-American Conference play. The Falcons cruised to the doubles point after courts one and two both gained 6-2 victories, before adding to the day's wins with five straight-set victories in singles play.

Results BGSU 6 vs. Akron 1
March 30, 2018 – Perrysburg Tennis Center – Perrysburg, Ohio

SINGLES
1 – Paula Comella (BGSU) def. Rita Pedroso (Akron) 6-2, 6-2
2 – Polina Radeva (BGSU) def. Miruna Vasilescu (Akron) 6-4, 6-3
3 – Marharita-Sophia Tavpash (BGSU) def. Carli Knezevich (Akron) 6-2, 6-3
4 – Ayumi Sasaki (BGSU) def. Luisa Echeverry (Akron) 6-4, 7-5
5 – Anna Uljanov (Akron) def. Vanesa Pardo (BGSU) 6-4, 6-3
6 – Marta Bettinelli (BGSU) def. Madison Wolfe (Akron) 6-3, 6-4

DOUBLES
1 – Comella / Tavpash (BGSU) def. Uljanov / Pedroso (Akron) 6-2
2 – Radeva / Sasaki (BGSU) def. Echeverry / Vasilescu (Akron) 6-2
3 – Bettinelli / Pardo (BGSU) vs. Knezevich / Wituski (Akron) 4-3, unfinished

Statistical Standouts

With its 11th win of the season, the Bowling Green tennis program has tallied its most victories in a season since the 2012-13 campaign. Additionally, the Falcons remain undefeated at home with a 7-0 record at the Perrysburg Tennis Center, as well as undefeated in Mid-American Conference play by a 3-0 record.
The victory also marked the Falcons first win over Akron since April 11, 2014.
After being down 1-0 early in the match, the pairing of junior Paula Comella and sophomore Marharita-Sophia Tavpash regained the lead at 2-1. From there on out, the duo led the way to an eventual 6-2 victory and an improved 11-4 record in doubles action this season.
Sealing the doubles point for the Falcons was the pairing of junior Polina Radeva and sophomore Ayumi Sasaki. The team also started down 1-0, but rebounded quickly to tie the match at 2-2 before soaring to the 6-2 victory. On the season, the duo posts a 10-5 record against their opponents.
Improving to a 13-2 record on the season at No. 1 singles was Comella as she extended her winning streak to five straight matches. The Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain native led outright through her first set for an eventual 6-2 win. After opening the second set down 1-0, Comella quickly regained the lead at 2-1 to stay ahead the rest of the set for a 6-2 victory and the first singles point on the day for the Falcons.
The third point of the afternoon came from Radeva as she battled for her 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 2 singles. After starting down both sets, the Varna, Bulgaria native fought her way ahead at the 4-3 marker in both sets to regain the lead and the victory against her Akron opponent.
Sealing the Falcons win over the Zips was freshman Marta Bettinelli at No. 6 singles. The native of Milan, Italy earned straight set victories of 6-3, 6-4 against her opponent by battling her way back from early deficits. When Bettinelli regained the lead at 4-3 in the first set and earned the win, she carried the momentum on for the match-winning point on the day. Bettinelli is now on a four-match win streak and holds a record of 7-7 on the year.
At No. 3 singles, Tavpash earned her 10th win of the season by downing her opponent 6-2, 6-3. Tavpash led outright through the first set, and was able to overcome a 1-0 deficit early in the second to earn her fifth consecutive victory in singles play and second win on the day.
Also earning two wins on the day was sophomore Sasaki as she picked up 6-4, 7-5 wins on court four. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Sasaki led outright on her way to her first set win of 6-4. After starting the second set down 4-1, Sasaki was able to quickly battle back and regain the lead at 5-4, before downing her opponent in an eventual 7-5 win and to extend her singles win streak to three straight.

Postmatch Interview

Up Next

The Bowling Green tennis program will return home this Sunday, April 1 as it hosts Buffalo in continued MAC play at 11 a.m. at the Perrysburg Tennis Center.

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For the most up-to-date information on the Bowling Green tennis program, follow the Falcons on Twitter at @BGSUTennis and @BGAthletics, as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.