Women's Tennis Topples Western Kentucky

Saturday, January 28

LOUISVILLE, KY

4 p.m.

University of Louisville

WESTERN KENTUCKY

Photo by: Mike DeZarn

January 28, 2017 | Women's Tennis

Cards win 5-2 and move to 4-0 on the year.

By: Nancy Worley

Louisville, KY – The University of Louisville's women's tennis team grabbed the doubles point and were successful in beating the Hilltoppers in four of the six singles matches for the 5-2 win on Saturday evening at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center.

"That was a one of our first real tests as far as I was concerned. I knew they were good so I wanted to see how we would respond to it," said Mark Beckham. "WKU walked in with the mindset that they were coming in here to win and I like that. So I challenged them beforehand to let them know and see how they would respond. For one thing, we played our best doubles of the year for sure. In singles, in the important moments, we were the ones winning the majority of the points. That was the difference in the match. That is a really good team, and I feel really good about how the day went. I feel like we are doing what we need to be doing."

Louisville seized the doubles point by sweeping all three positions. The Cardinals' No.1 team of Abbie Pahz and Mariana Humberg beat Andreanna Christopoulou and Elpida Malamou 6-3. Louisville's No.2 team of Sena Suswam and Olivia Boesing fought to win a 7-5 match against Monica Malinen and Lisa Friess to secure the doubles point. Louisville's No.3 team Ariana Rodriguez and Jessie Paul made it a sweep by defeating Cindy Oest and Natalia De Ugarte 6-4.

At the No.1 spot in the singles competition Elpida Malamou defeated Sena Suswam 4-6, 6-1,6-2. Suswam won the first set after coming back from a 4-0 deficit and clinching the first set 6-4. Aleksandra Mally took the No.2 spot winning against Andreanna Christopoulou 7-6, 6-4. At the No.3 spot, Mariana Humberg overpowered Natalia De Ugarte with both sets ending 6-1.

In the fourth position, Abbie Pahz defeated Cindy Oest 6-1,6-1. In the No.5 spot, Western Kentucky's Monica Malinen outlasted Oliva Boesing 6-4,6-3. Ending the evening, Jessie Paul hung in to win a three-set match against Violetta Shatalova 6-4,0-6,6-3.

Tennis Match Results
WKU vs LOUISVILLE
Jan 28, 2017 at Louisville, Ky.
(Bass-Rudd Tennis Center)

LOUISVILLE 5, WKU 2

Singles competition
1. Elpida Malamou (WKU) def. Sena Suswam (LOU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
2. Aleksandra Mally (LOU) def. A. Christopoulou (WKU) 7-6, 6-4
3. Mariana Humberg (LOU) def. Natalia De Ugarte (WKU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Abbie Pahz (LOU) def. Cindy Oest (WKU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Monica Malinen (WKU) def. Olivia Boesing (LOU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Jessie Paul (LOU) def. Violetta Shatalova (WKU) 6-4, 0-6, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Abbie Pahz/Mariana Humberg (LOU) def. A. Christopoulou/Elpida Malamou (WKU) 6-3
2. Sena Suswam/Olivia Boesing (LOU) def. Monica Malinen/Lisa Friess (WKU) 7-5
3. Ariana Rodriguez/Jessie Paul (LOU) def. Cindy Oest/Natalia De Ugarte (WKU) 6-4

Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (4,3,5,1,2,6)