Tennis Downs Cincinnati and Marshall in Home Opener

Friday, January 21

LOUISVILLE, KY

11:00 a.m.

University of Louisville

Cincinnati

Rhea Verma prepares to volley in doubles

January 21, 2022 | Women's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Cards play Miami of Ohio on Sunday

By: Nancy Worley

Louisville 5, Cincinnati 2
The University of Louisville women's tennis team started the spring season with a 5-2 win over long-time rival Cincinnati Friday afternoon at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center.

The Cardinals took the doubles point with Andrea Di Palma and Tatiana Simova rolled 6-0 over Ioana Guna and Emma Miceli at the No. 2 slot. The Cards clinched the point when Dina Chaika and Chelsea Sawyer won 6-4 over Callie Flanagan and Kelli Niehaus at the No. 3 slot.

Sawyer scored the first singles point for the Cards from the No. 3 position, winning 6-1, 6-2 over Cassie McLay. Di Palma finished next with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Elizabeth Pendergast to go up 3-0.

But Cincinnati pushed back, winning the No. 4 spot but Rhea Verma clinched the match for the Cardinals with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Ioana Guna. Tatiana Simova took Callie Flanagan into three sets before winning 3-6, 7-5, 10-8 for Louisville's final point.

Louisville 4, Marshall 3
The University of Louisville women's tennis team outlasted Marshall 4-3 in the second match of Friday's doubleheader at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center.

UofL took the doubles point, winning at the top two positions. Sasha Gorchanyuk and Rhea Verma beat Emma Vanderheyden and Liz Stefancic 6-4 at No. 1 and Tatiana Simova and Andrea Di Palma downed Madi Ballow and Sophia Hurrion 6-2 at the No. 2 slot.

The Cardinals won at the No. 2, 5 and 6 slots for the win. Verma rolled 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2, beating Liz Stefancic. Gorchanyuk blanked Aisling McGrane at No. 5 with a perfect 6-0, 6-0. Tatiana Simova clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Gabrielle Clairotte.

Tennis Match Results
Cincinnati vs Louisville
1/21/2022 at Louisville, Ky.
(Bass-Rudd Tennis Center)

Louisville 5, Cincinnati 2

Singles competition
1. Andrea Di Palma (LOU) def. Elizabeth Pendergast (UC) 6-2, 6-1
2. Rhea Verma (LOU) def. Ioana Guna (UC) 6-1, 7-5
3. Chelsea Sawyer (LOU) def. Cassie McLay (UC) 6-1, 6-2
4. Maria Santilli (UC) def. Dina Chaika (LOU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Emma Miceli (UC) def. Sasha Gorchanyuk (LOU) 6-3, 7-5
6. Tatiana Simova (LOU) def. Callie Flanagan (UC) 3-6, 7-5, 10-8

Doubles competition
1. Cassie McLay/Elizabeth Pendergast (UC) def. Rhea Verma/Sasha Gorchanyuk (LOU) 6-4
2. Andrea Di Palma/Tatiana Simova (LOU) def. Ioana Guna/Emma Miceli (UC) 6-0
3. Dina Chaika/Chelsea Sawyer (LOU) def. Callie Flanagan/Kelli Niehaus (UC) 6-4

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

Tennis Match Results
Marshall vs Louisville
1/21/2022 at

Louisville 4, Marshall 3

Singles competition
1. Emma Vanderheyden (MU) def. Andrea Di Palma (LOU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Rhea Verma (LOU) def. Liz Stefancic (MU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Madi Ballow (MU) def. Chelsea Sawyer (LOU) 1-6, 6-3, 3-4, retired
4. Sophia Hurrion (MU) def. Dina Chaika (LOU) 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
5. Sasha Gorchanyuk (LOU) def. Aisling McGrane (MU) 6-0, 6-0
6. Tatiana Simova (LOU) def. Gabrielle Clairotte (MU) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Sasha Gorchanyuk/Rhea Verma (LOU) def. Emma Vanderheyden/Liz Stefancic (MU) 6-4
2. Tatiana Simova/Andrea Di Palma (LOU) def. Madi Ballow/Sophia Hurrion (MU) 6-2
3. Gabrielle Clairotte/Aisling McGrane (MU) def. Chelsea Sawyer/Dina Chaika (LOU) 6-4

Match Notes:
Marshall 1-1
Louisville 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (5,2,1,6,3,4)