Women's Tennis Drops 5-2 Decision at Michigan
1/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
 |
|
The Alabama women’s tennis team (1-1) dropped its road opener to No. 20 Michigan, 5-2 in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Saturday.
“Michigan played a solid match,” said head coach Jenny Mainz. “They were ready to play. They outworked us in a couple of spots and that was the difference.”
Despite the loss, there were a couple of bright spots for Alabama. The Tide’s top two singles players, No. 8 Robin Stephenson and No. 75 Ashley Bentley, each won their matches. Stephenson defeated No. 44 Michelle DaCosta in three sets, 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(6) to move to 13-5 on the season. Bentley took down No. 95 Elizabeth Exon, 6-4, 6-1 and is now 10-4.
“I’m proud of the way Robin and Ashley fought and pulled out wins for us,” said Mainz.
Outside of Stephenson and Bentley’s singles victories, there wasn’t much more for Alabama to cheer. The Tide won just three of nine matches on the day, although No. 50 Melissa Day and Mari Muller managed to defeat Elizabeth Exon and Nina Yastali in doubles, 9-7.
“Michigan found answers today and was willing to find a way to win,” said Mainz. “We didn’t do that across the board. Hopefully this will be a lesson for us and will help us get ready from Western Michigan tomorrow.”
Alabama will play its second road match of the weekend Sunday against Western Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. It will be the second of four straight road matches for Alabama.
Saturday’s Results
Michigan 5, Alabama 2
Singles
No. 1 -- #8 Robin Stephenson (U-A) d. #44 Michelle DaCosta, 6-3, 6-7(6), 1-0(6)
No. 2 -- #75 Ashley Bentley (U-A) d. #95 Elizabeth Exon, 6-4, 6-1
No. 3 -- Kara Delicata (U-M) d. Melissa Day, 6-0, 6-2
No. 4 -- Leanne Rutherford (U-M) d. Melissa Minor, 6-3, 6-0
No. 5 -- Nina Yaftali (U-M) d. Andrea Brenes, 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 -- Allie Shafner (U-M) d. Maria Muller, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5
Doubles
No. 1 -- #15 DaCosta/Delicata (U-M) d. #12 Bentley/Stephenson, 8-4
No. 2 -- #50 Day/Muller (U-A) d. Exon/Yaftali, 9-7
No. 3 -- Shafner/Rutherford (U-M) d. Minor/Natalie McElveen, 8-6
Order of Completion: Doubles 1-2-3, Singles 3-5-4-2-6-1
