University of Missouri
Iowa State
Mizzou Closes Regular Season With Win
4/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
April 19, 2009
Columbia, Mo. – The Tigers (8-11, 4-7 Big 12) finished their Big 12 regular season schedule at home on Sunday as they took down the Iowa State Cyclones (10-12, 1-10 Big 12), 4-3. Missouri swept the doubles matches to take a quick 1-0 lead and Sofia Ayala earned the fourth and winning point for the Tigers, taking down her opponent at No. 6 singles. Play began at 1:00 p.m. and took place inside the Green Tennis Center in Columbia, Mo.
Ayala and doubles partner Danielle Day earned their eighth win of conference play against ISU's No. 3 duo of Liza Wischer and Tessa Lang. Their 8-3 victory puts the pair on top of the No. 3 doubles standings in conference play. The Tiger's No. 1 and No. 2 teams showed similar success both earning wins to seal the doubles point for Missouri. Mallory Weber and Jamie Mera recorded an 8-6 win shortly after Jessica Giuggioli and Kaitlyn Ritchie took down their opponents at No. 2 in a tie-breaker, 9-8 (3).
The Cyclones fought back in singles taking two of the first three matches to tie the team score at two. Though Day picked up a 6-3 first set, Marie Chartier came from behind to win the second and third sets and gave ISU a 3-2 lead with the No. 5 and No. 6 matches remaining.
Next Ritchie tied the score, this time at three, with a two-set win over Liza Wischer, 7-6, 6-1. Ritchie went 2-0 on the weekend earning a win at No. 5 over her Nebraska opponent also.
The final team point again came down to Ayala at No. 6. She faced Reke Kelemen from Iowa State. With a dominant serve Ayala put away Kelemen in two sets 6-3, 6-3, and gave Missouri its fourth win in Big 12 play.
“Iowa State is a much improved team and we knew that coming in. After a lot of close losses they came to us at the right time,” said head coach Blake Starkey. “It really showed the character of our team, there were a couple of close scores, but we found a way to win. Today was Jessica's senior day and she played great in doubles. It was a great way to see her go out. We're really proud of what she's done for us here at Mizzou.”
The Tigers will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Norman, Okla., for the Big 12 Championships. The tournament bracket will be released shortly.
Final Team Score: Missouri 4, Iowa State 3
Complete Doubles Results
No. 1 Mallory Weber and Jamie Mera (MIZ) def. Erin Karonis and Kara Hickey (ISU) 8-6
No. 2 Jessica Giuggioli and Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) def. Maria Macedo and Marie Chartier (ISU) 9-8 (3)
No. 3 Sofial Ayala and Danielle Day (MIZ) def. Liza Wischer and Tessa Lang (ISU) 8-3
Complete Singles Results
No. 1 Erin Karonis (ISU) def. Jessica Giuggioli (MIZ) 6-0, 6-3
No. 2 Jamie Mera (MIZ) def. Tessa Lang (ISU) 6-2, 7-5
No. 3 Maria Macedo (ISU) def. Mallory Weber (MIZ) 6-0, 6-3
No. 4 Marie Chartier (ISU) def. Danielle Day (MIZ) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
No. 5 Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) def. Liza Wischer (ISU) 7-6, 6-1
No. 6 Sofia Ayala (MIZ) def. Reke Kelemen (ISU) 6-3, 6-3
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Players Mentioned
