W. Tennis Defeats Kansas, 4-1, in Waco
WACO, Texas – The University of Miami women’s tennis team concluded ITA Kick-Off Weekend competition with a 4-1 neutral-site triumph over Kansas at the Hurd Tennis Center.
No. 23 Miami (3-1) rallied to take the doubles point and then, after the Jayhawks leveled the score, took three straight singles matches to earn the victory.
“I think it says a lot about our character to bounce back so quickly against a very solid Kansas team,” Miami head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said. “I’m looking forward to seeing Old Dominion this weekend in Miami.”
Kansas (0-3) took the opening doubles contest, handing the Hurricanes their first doubles setback through four dual matches thus far, as Tiffany Lagarde and Sonia Smagina downed third-year sophomores Diana Khodan and Maya Tahan, 6-1. Miami, though, responded to take the opening point.
Fourth-year junior Daevenia Achong and fifth-year senior Eden Richardson, together ranked No. 40, beat Malkia Nguonoue and Maria Titova, 6-4, to even the tally.
Sophomores Audrey Boch-Collins and Isabella Pfennig then gave Miami the 1-0 lead with a 6-4 result against Raphaelle Lacasse and Mariana Manyoma-Velasquez.
No. 42 Titova started singles play with a win to tie the score at 1-1, as she beat No. 104 Achong, 6-1, 6-2, in the lone ranked matchup. From there, though, it was all Miami.
Tahan put the Hurricanes back in front with a resounding 6-2, 6-2 triumph against Manyoma-Velasquez and Boch-Collins followed that with a stellar 6-3, 6-2 showing versus Lacasse to make it 3-1.
No. 76 Pfennig clinched the win for Miami, posting a 6-2, 6-2 win over Smagina to end the match at 4-1. The other two contests were both left unfinished.
Richardson trailed No. 109 Nguonoue, 4-6, 3-5, while Khodan was in the midst of a comeback bid against Lagarde, facing a 3-6, 5-0 deficit.
Miami resumes play next Saturday at noon against Old Dominion at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in Coral Gables, 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. No. 40 Daevenia Achong/Eden Richardson (UM) def. Malkia Nguonoue/Maria Titova (KU), 6-4
2. Tiffany Lagarde/Sonia Smagina (KU) def. Diana Khodan/Maya Tahan (UM), 6-1
3. Audrey Boch-Collins/Isabella Pfennig (UM) def. Raphaelle Lacasse/Mariana Manyoma-Velasquez (KU), 6-4
Singles Competition
1. No. 109 Malkia Nguonoue (KU) vs. Eden Richardson (UM), 6-4, 5-3, unf.
2. No. 42 Maria Titova (KU) def. No. 104 Daevenia Achong (UM), 6-1, 6-2
3. No. 76 Isabella Pfennig (UM) def. Sonia Smagina (KU), 6-2, 6-2
4. Audrey Boch-Collins (UM) def. Raphaelle Lacasse (KU), 6-3, 6-2
5. Tiffany Lagarde (KU) vs. Diana Khodan (UM), 6-3, 0-5, unf.
6. Maya Tahan (UM) def. Mariana Manyoma-Velasquez (KU), 6-2, 6-2
