TicketsINDIANAPOLIS – University of Cincinnati women's tennis earned a 4-3 win over Butler in its dual match season opener on Sunday.
"For an early season match, today was played very well by both teams," head coach Eric Toth said. "Butler keeps getting better every year and they will keep improving as their season continues. We had to be sharp today to get the job done and it is great to come out of here with a team win."
The doubles pair of redshirt junior Sofia Bruno and sophomore Callie Flanagan handled their match on court three, 6-4, before the Bulldogs responded with a win on court one. With the initial point down to the final match, redshirt junior Kelli Niehaus and redshirt senior Maria Santilli clinched the early lead with a 6-4 win on court two.
Santilli extended the margin in singles with a straight-set win on court three, 6-4, 6-2. Redshirt junior Cassie McLay earned the Bearcats' third point by answering back to a dropped first set with two straight set victories on court two, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. Flanagan clinched the match in straight sets on court six, 6-2, 6-2.
Cincinnati will be back in action next Saturday, Jan. 21 when it travels to face Purdue inside Schwartz Tennis Center at 10 a.m. ET.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWTEN on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
RESULTS
Cincinnati 4, Butler 3
Jan. 15, 2023 | Indianapolis, Ind. | Butler Bubble
Doubles
1. Natalie Boesing / Chase Metcalf (BU) def. Cassie McLay / Elizabeth Pendergast (CIN), 6-3
2. Kelli Niehaus / Maria Santilli (CIN) def. Veronika Bruetting / Delaney Schurhamer (BU), 6-4
3. Sofia Bruno / Callie Flanagan (CIN) def. Norah Balthazor / Jordan Schildcrout (BU), 6-4
ORDER OF FINISH: 3,1,2
Singles
1. Natalie Boesing (BU) def. Elizabeth Pendergast (CIN), 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Cassie McLay (CIN) def. Chase Metcalf (BU), 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
3. Maria Santilli (CIN) def. Delaney Schurhamer (BU), 6-4, 6-2
4. Norah Balthazor (BU) def. Kelli Niehaus (CIN), 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Katie Beavin (BU) def. Natasha Opaciuch (CIN), 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
6. Callie Flanagan (CIN) def. Emma Beavin (BU) 6-2, 6-2
ORDER OF FINISH: 3,1,2,4,6,5
"For an early season match, today was played very well by both teams," head coach Eric Toth said. "Butler keeps getting better every year and they will keep improving as their season continues. We had to be sharp today to get the job done and it is great to come out of here with a team win."
The doubles pair of redshirt junior Sofia Bruno and sophomore Callie Flanagan handled their match on court three, 6-4, before the Bulldogs responded with a win on court one. With the initial point down to the final match, redshirt junior Kelli Niehaus and redshirt senior Maria Santilli clinched the early lead with a 6-4 win on court two.
Santilli extended the margin in singles with a straight-set win on court three, 6-4, 6-2. Redshirt junior Cassie McLay earned the Bearcats' third point by answering back to a dropped first set with two straight set victories on court two, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2. Flanagan clinched the match in straight sets on court six, 6-2, 6-2.
Cincinnati will be back in action next Saturday, Jan. 21 when it travels to face Purdue inside Schwartz Tennis Center at 10 a.m. ET.
FOLLOW THE BEARCATS
For all the latest information on Cincinnati women's tennis, please visit GoBEARCATS.com and follow @GoBearcatsWTEN on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
RESULTS
Cincinnati 4, Butler 3
Jan. 15, 2023 | Indianapolis, Ind. | Butler Bubble
Doubles
1. Natalie Boesing / Chase Metcalf (BU) def. Cassie McLay / Elizabeth Pendergast (CIN), 6-3
2. Kelli Niehaus / Maria Santilli (CIN) def. Veronika Bruetting / Delaney Schurhamer (BU), 6-4
3. Sofia Bruno / Callie Flanagan (CIN) def. Norah Balthazor / Jordan Schildcrout (BU), 6-4
ORDER OF FINISH: 3,1,2
Singles
1. Natalie Boesing (BU) def. Elizabeth Pendergast (CIN), 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Cassie McLay (CIN) def. Chase Metcalf (BU), 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
3. Maria Santilli (CIN) def. Delaney Schurhamer (BU), 6-4, 6-2
4. Norah Balthazor (BU) def. Kelli Niehaus (CIN), 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Katie Beavin (BU) def. Natasha Opaciuch (CIN), 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
6. Callie Flanagan (CIN) def. Emma Beavin (BU) 6-2, 6-2
ORDER OF FINISH: 3,1,2,4,6,5