TicketsHUNTINGTON, W.VA. – The University of Cincinnati tennis program claimed its second win in a row, edging out a 4-3 victory over Marshall University at the 7827 Tennis Center Sunday afternoon.
Cincinnati (5-9) secured an early one-point advantage over the Herd (6-7) after the Bearcats put away double play on a pair of 6-2 set finishes, ultimately being the deciding factor in today's victory.
THE BREAKDOWN
Following doubles play, Marshall looked to regain possession of the match by claiming the first singles points on two quick performances.
UC quickly rallied answering with a two-set (6-2, 6-4) sweep of its own by Cassie McLay who claimed her third singles win of the season.
With the score all tied up at two apiece, the Herd's Madi Ballow put Marshall back on top after forcing a 6-3 third set decision over Maria Santilli who took the first set 6-4 but dropped the second set 4-6.
Over on court five, Kelli Niehaus forced a third set of her own to keep the Bearcats alive. Niehaus fell short in the first set 4-6 but battled her way through the second, putting up a 6-3 victory. Niehaus remained steadfast through the remainder of the match, claiming the third set victory 7-5.
The battled pressed on over on court one between Ioana Guna and Anna Smith who were entering a third set of their own to decide the match. Guna rallied after a dominating performance by Smith took the first set 6-1. Guna nipped out a 6-7(3) second set bringing it down to a final third set decision, where she was able to grind out a 7-6(7) victory for the Bearcats, improving them to 5-9 as they enter their last match of the season.
TOTH ON THE MATCH
"A terrific match by both teams that went our way in the end. Doubles got us off to a good start and it took some really good performances from Cassie, Kelli, and of course Ioana to get the win. I am so happy for our girls."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats return home to Trabert-Talbert Tennis Center to take on Western Kentucky University in their final regular season match of the 2020-21 season. First serve will take place at 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 18.
RESULTS
University of Cincinnati vs Marshall
4/11/2021 at Huntington, W.Va.
University of Cincinnati 4, Marshall 3
SINGLES
1. Ioana Guna (CIN) def. Anna Smith (MAR) 1-6, 6-7(3), 7-6(7)
2. Cassie McLay (CIN) def. Daniela Dankanych (MAR) 6-2, 6-4
3. Madi Ballow (MAR) def. Maria Santilli (CIN) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
4. Liz Stefancic (MAR) def. Emma Miceli (CIN) 6-1, 6-1
5. Kelli Niehaus (CIN) def. Jutte Van Hansewyck (MAR) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. Madison Riley (MAR) def. Alexia Coutino (CIN) 6-2, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Alexia Coutino/Cassie McLay (CIN) def. Liz Stefancic/Jutte Van Hansewyck (MAR) 6-2
2. Anna Smith/Daniela Dankanych (MAR) def. Ioana Guna/Kim Gintrand (CIN) 6-3
3. Emma Miceli/Kelli Niehaus (CIN) def. Madi Ballow/Madison Riley (MAR) 6-2
MATCH NOTES
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,6,2,3,5,1)
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team (@GoBearcatsWTEN) and Head Coach Eric Toth (@EricToth1) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook
Cincinnati (5-9) secured an early one-point advantage over the Herd (6-7) after the Bearcats put away double play on a pair of 6-2 set finishes, ultimately being the deciding factor in today's victory.
THE BREAKDOWN
Following doubles play, Marshall looked to regain possession of the match by claiming the first singles points on two quick performances.
UC quickly rallied answering with a two-set (6-2, 6-4) sweep of its own by Cassie McLay who claimed her third singles win of the season.
With the score all tied up at two apiece, the Herd's Madi Ballow put Marshall back on top after forcing a 6-3 third set decision over Maria Santilli who took the first set 6-4 but dropped the second set 4-6.
Over on court five, Kelli Niehaus forced a third set of her own to keep the Bearcats alive. Niehaus fell short in the first set 4-6 but battled her way through the second, putting up a 6-3 victory. Niehaus remained steadfast through the remainder of the match, claiming the third set victory 7-5.
The battled pressed on over on court one between Ioana Guna and Anna Smith who were entering a third set of their own to decide the match. Guna rallied after a dominating performance by Smith took the first set 6-1. Guna nipped out a 6-7(3) second set bringing it down to a final third set decision, where she was able to grind out a 7-6(7) victory for the Bearcats, improving them to 5-9 as they enter their last match of the season.
TOTH ON THE MATCH
"A terrific match by both teams that went our way in the end. Doubles got us off to a good start and it took some really good performances from Cassie, Kelli, and of course Ioana to get the win. I am so happy for our girls."
UP NEXT
The Bearcats return home to Trabert-Talbert Tennis Center to take on Western Kentucky University in their final regular season match of the 2020-21 season. First serve will take place at 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, April 18.
RESULTS
University of Cincinnati vs Marshall
4/11/2021 at Huntington, W.Va.
University of Cincinnati 4, Marshall 3
SINGLES
1. Ioana Guna (CIN) def. Anna Smith (MAR) 1-6, 6-7(3), 7-6(7)
2. Cassie McLay (CIN) def. Daniela Dankanych (MAR) 6-2, 6-4
3. Madi Ballow (MAR) def. Maria Santilli (CIN) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
4. Liz Stefancic (MAR) def. Emma Miceli (CIN) 6-1, 6-1
5. Kelli Niehaus (CIN) def. Jutte Van Hansewyck (MAR) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. Madison Riley (MAR) def. Alexia Coutino (CIN) 6-2, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Alexia Coutino/Cassie McLay (CIN) def. Liz Stefancic/Jutte Van Hansewyck (MAR) 6-2
2. Anna Smith/Daniela Dankanych (MAR) def. Ioana Guna/Kim Gintrand (CIN) 6-3
3. Emma Miceli/Kelli Niehaus (CIN) def. Madi Ballow/Madison Riley (MAR) 6-2
MATCH NOTES
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,6,2,3,5,1)
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team (@GoBearcatsWTEN) and Head Coach Eric Toth (@EricToth1) on Twitter. You can also find the Bearcats on Instagram and Facebook