@CanesWTennis Falls at No. 26 Notre Dame
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Facing its 10th top-30 opponent in 13 matches this season, the University of Miami women’s tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision Sunday afternoon at No. 26 Notre Dame.
No. 37 Miami came up short in the doubles point, but then won four opening sets in singles, yet was unable to fight all the way back at the Eck Tennis Pavilion. The Hurricanes also were without junior Sinead Lohan, the No. 11-ranked singles player in the nation, for the second match in a row.
“It’s tough to win matches when you’re in the position we’re in [with injuries]. It’s tough to find four points,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “. . . I was proud of the fight. I think the fight today was a whole lot better than it was a couple days ago. So, we can’t hang our heads. We’ve just got to keep moving forward.”
Notre Dame (15-3, 6-2 ACC) got off to a fast start in doubles and earned the point by taking both completed matches.
Brooke Boda and Allison Miller beat sophomore Ana Madcur and freshman Estela Perez-Somarriba, 6-0. Mary Closs and Monica Robinson then downed redshirt senior Maci Epstein and freshman Dominika Paterova, 6-2.
In the lone match left unfinished, freshman Sara Culbertson and junior Silvia Fuentes were tied, 3-3, with Jane Fennelly and Zoe Spence.
Miller increased Notre Dame’s lead to 2-0 by defeating Epstein, 6-0, 6-1. Broda then upped it to 3-0 by topping Paterova, 6-2, 6-4.
Culbertson registered the first dual match victory of her career with a 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Fennelly to give Miami (4-9, 3-5 ACC) its opening point.
“Sara just went out and competed,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “She played the type of tennis that she knows how to play and we’ve talking about how if she does that, she can be successful. It was good to see that was coachable, she listened, she did what we asked her to do and then she got the result she wanted.”
Closs posted a win over Madcur, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, to give the Fighting Irish their fourth point and seal the match.
The final two matches were both played out before competition concluded. Robinson notched a victory against No. 33 Perez-Somarriba, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Fuentes concluded the day by earning a tough, three-set win versus Spence, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, to give Miami its second point.
“I think Estela and Ana fought hard,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Silvia played a great match [and did so against] a top American freshman.
Up next for the Hurricanes is a non-conference road match at Florida Atlantic Friday at noon in nearby Boca Raton, Fla.
To keep up with the University of Miami women’s tennis team on social media, follow @CanesWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
RESULTS
Doubles Competition
1. Mary Closs/Monica Robinson (ND) def. Maci Epstein/Dominika Paterova (UM), 6-2
2. Brooke Boda/Allison Miller (ND) def. Ana Madcur/Estela Perez-Somarriba (UM), 6-0
3. Sara Culbertson/Silvia Fuentes (UM) vs. Jane Fennelly/Zoe Spence (ND), 3-3, unfinished
Singles Competition
1. Monica Robinson (ND) def. No. 33 Estela Perez-Somarriba (UM), 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
2. Brooke Broda (ND) def. Dominika Paterova (UM), 6-2, 6-4
3. Allison Miller (ND) def. Maci Epstein (UM), 6-0, 6-1
4. Silvia Fuentes (UM) def. Zoe Spence (ND), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
5. Mary Closs (ND) def. Ana Madcur (UM), 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
6. Sara Culbertson (UM) def. Jane Fennelly (ND), 7-5, 6-2
