By Joel Wauters, UNI Athletics
PULASKI, Tenn. — The UNI tennis team opened its two-dual spring break road trip in commanding fashion on Wednesday as the Panthers shutout the UT Southern Firebirds by a 7-0 score.
In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, Northern Iowa took all six singles matches and two of three doubles matches for its third win of the season in its final non-conference dual of the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Opening the afternoon in doubles action, Kim Zizek and Andjela Raznatovic bested Natalia Vergara and Sienna Ruberto in a 6-0 sweep, while Abbie Peterson and Lasya Mylavarapu defeated Justine Azarak Quebengco and Ali Hamilton by a 6-1 score. Darta Dalecka and Lorena Cardoso would face a challenge from Otone Odajima and Yen-Ju Chang, dropping a 7-5 tiebreaker in a narrow 7-6 loss.
In singles, Dalecka posted a number one straight set sweep over Azarak Quebengco (6-0, 6-0), as did Zizek for her first singles win of the year at the number three position over Gabrielle Kirkley (6-0, 6-0). Raznatovic took down Anna Wernerowicz by a 6-0, 6-1 score, with Peterson doing the same against Ana Sofia Olano, in addition to Mylavarapu over Bailey Cantrell. Cardoso also picked up a win in the number two slot by a 6-0, 6-3 score against Sheyla Zombrano.
UP NEXT
UNI opens Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) dual competition on Saturday when it visits Belmont in Nashville at 10 a.m. CT at the Beaman Family Tennis Complex.
FINAL RESULTS
UNI 7, UT SOUTHERN 0
** Team awarded one point for winning two of three doubles matches
DOUBLES
#1 – Otone Odajima/Yen-Ju Chang (UTS) def. Darta Dalecka/Lorena Cardoso (UNI), 7-6
#2 – Kim Zizek/Andjela Raznatovic (UNI) def. Natalia Vergara/Sienna Ruberto (UTS), 6-0
#3 – Abbie Peterson/Lasya Mylavarapu (UNI) def. Justine Azarak Quebengco/Ali Hamilton (UTS), 6-1
SINGLES
#1 – Darta Dalecka (UNI) def. Azarak Quebengco (UTS), 6-0, 6-0
#2 – Lorena Cardoso (UNI) def. Sheyla Zombrano (UTS), 6-0, 6-3
#3 – Kim Zizek (UNI) def. Gabrielle Kirkley (UTS), 6-0, 6-0
#4 – Andjela Raznatovic (UNI) def. Anna Wernerowicz (UTS), 6-0, 6-1
#5 – Lasya Mylavarapu (UNI) def. Bailey Cantrell (UTS), 6-0, 6-1
#6 – Abbie Peterson (UNI) def. Ana Sofia Olano (UTS), 6-0, 6-1