Box Score
HOMEWOOD, Ill. (3/1/2015) -- It was a perfect weekend for the University of Detroit Mercy women's tennis team as the Titans won their-straight match downing host Chicago State, 4-2, on Sunday at the H-F Racquet Club.
It was the third win in three days for Detroit (6-5) as it defeated Northern Kentucky (6-0) and Northern Iowa (4-3) on the weekend trek to Illinois.
"We had a strong performance this weekend," said head coach
Pjotrs Necajevs '10. "We had three confident victories. We did some work in doubles the last couple of weeks and we definitely had good progress there this weekend."
The Titans were behind early in this one as Chicago State (2-11) claimed the doubles points earning a pair of 7-6 tie-breaking victories at No. 2 and No. 3. UDM's lone win was at the top spot as junior
Irina Slizovskaya and sophomore
Anna Davydova breezed to a 6-2 triumph.
In singles, Detroit was able to rise to victory by capturing four of the five completed matches.
"We continue to dominate with our mental toughness," added Coach Necajevs.
Slizovskaya got the Titans rolling with a convincing 6-2, 6-1, victory at No. 3, while junior
Valeryia Kulikovskaya upended Hanna Pangestu, 6-2, 7-6 (3), in second singles.
"Lera (Kulikovskaya) managed her opponent really well and I was proud of how she handled the end of the match when Chicago State stole the momentum away from her," said Coach Necajevs. "Irina (Slizovskaya) just dominates everyone with her consistency and positive energy."
Davydova surged past Matea Roki at No. 4, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5, and sophomore
Nynke Van Der Goot won the clinching fourth point with a 6-3, 6-3 tally over Lorea Gamboa in the fifth position.
"Anna (Davydova) had a couple of very tough matches, but did a great job on keeping her composure and also made a lot of improvements in doubles," said Coach Necajevs. "Viktoria and Nynke made strong progress in singles and doubles. They worked hard on some objectives and it will make them even better as we go on."
The score could have been high as
Viktoria Laskutova was ahead 6-4, 5-4 at No. 6 when her match was called off, while
Sasha Nionova dropped a hard fought 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 affair in top singles.
"Sasha had a couple of close losses this weekend, but I know that it is a matter of time before she breaks out," commented Coach Necajevs.
The Titans will now have a few weeks off before they head into their Horizon League schedule as Detroit will have a two-game homestand to begin league play. Detroit will host Green Bay on March 21 and Milwaukee on March 22 at the Franklin Athletic Club in Southfield.
