Minnesota Expands Their Winning Streak to Six After Saturday’s Double Header – University of Minnesota Athletics

MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota tennis program expands their winning streak to six after defeating South Dakota 7-0 and St. Thomas 7-0 at home on Saturday. South Dakota falls to 3-4, and St. Thomas drops to 4-2.

Quote from Coach Arterberry:
“Today we started with a lot of energy against South Dakota,” said head coach Lois Arterberry. “We played really high level doubles, and took that same energy into singles. I was proud of the way that the girls competed, and they never let up. They played our tennis which was great. The second match against St. Thomas started off with lower energy, but we were able to fight back in the singles and compete well against the Tommies. We’re just looking forward to playing against Oregon and Boise State next week.”

Minnesota vs. South Dakota
The Gophers started strong by clinching the doubles point by winning their first two matches. No.3 pair Zeyneb Sarioglan and Sofia Pizzoni were first to win with a 6-0 victory over Paige Alter and Amanda de Oliveira. No. 1 pair Mia Liepert and Sofia Pinto secured the doubles point with a 6-2 victory over Bea Havlickova and Sorcha Caves. 

In singles, the Gophers racked up all six points against South Dakota. Sofia Pizzoni earned the first single point with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Paige Alter. Anali Kocevar clinched the win for Minnesota with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Sorcha Caves. Two matches had to be decided in a tiebreaking third set. Sofia Pinto fought back to win 4-6, 6-4, 10-1 over Grace Chadick while Aiva Schmitz battled to win 6-4, 5-7, 10-6 over Bea Havlickova. Overall, the Gophers won 7-0 over South Dakota.

Results
Doubles
Mia Liepert and Sofia Pinto (UMN) def. Bea Havlickova and Sorcha Caves (USD) 6-2.
Anali Kocevar and Emma Belluomini (UMN) tie Anna Medvyedyeva and Grace Chadick (USD) 4-4 (15-15).
Zeyneb Sarioglan and Sofia Pizzoni (UMN) def. Paige Alter and Amanda de Oliveira (USD) 6-0.

Singles
Aiva Schmitz (UMN) def. Bea Havlickova (USD) 6-4, 5-7, 10-6.
Mia Liepert (UMN) def. Amanda de Oliveira (USD) 6-4, 6-4.
Anali Kocevar (UMN) def. Sorcha Caves (USD) 6-4, 6-1.
Emma Belluomini (UMN) def. Anna Medvyedyeva (USD) 6-0, 6-4.
Sofia Pinto (UMN) def. Grace Chadick (USD) 4-6, 6-4, 10-1.
Sofia Pizzoni (UMN) def. Paige Alter (USD) 6-1, 6-1.

Order of Finish
Doubles: (3, 1, 2)
Singles: (6, 4, 3, 5, 2, 1)

Minnesota vs. St. Thomas
In doubles, the Gophers battled to earn the one doubles point. No. 3 pair Emma Belluomini and Anali Kocevar started off the matches with a 6-3 win over Marthe Degeorges and Caroline Lindahl. Unfortunately, Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert would lose to Olivia Paradise and Yinong Ma 6(4)-7(7). Minutes later, Zeyneb Sarioglan and Aiva Schmitz secured the doubles point for Minnesota with their 7(7)-6(4) win over Jannah ElNemr and Shirchandrakala Tentu. 

In singles, the Gophers handled the Tommies with six wins. Anali Kocevar started things off with her 6-3, 6-1 victory over Marthe Degeorges. Emma Belluomini clinched the win for Minnesota by winning 6-0, 6-4 over Olivia Paradise. Two matches went to tiebreakers in the second set, but the Gophers were able to hold on. Mia Liepert defeated Caroline Lindahl 6-1, 7(7)-6(5), and Sofia Pizzoni ended the match by defeating Yinong Ma 6-2, 7(7)-6(4). The Gophers earned their second shutout of the day with another 7-0 victory. 

Results
Doubles
Sofia Pinto and Mia Liepert (UMN) lost to Olivia Paradise and Yinong Ma (UST) 6(4)-7(7).
Zeyneb Sarioglan and Aiva Schmitz (UMN) def. Jannah ElNemr and Shirchandrakala Tentu (UST) 7(7)-6(4).
Emma Belluomini and Anali Kocevar (UMN) def. Marthe Degeorges and Caroline Lindahl (UST) 6-3

Singles
Aiva Schmitz (UMN) def. Jannah ElNemr (UST) 6-2, 6-2
Anali Kocevar (UMN) def. Marthe Degeorges (UST) 6-3, 6-1
Mia Liepert (UMN) def. Caroline Lindahl (UST) 6-1, 7(7)-6(5)
Emma Belluomini (UMN) def. Olivia Paradise (UST) 6-0, 6-4
Sofia Pizzoni (UMN) def. Yinong Ma (UST) 6-2, 7(7)-6(4)
Sofia Pinto (UMN) def. Naisha Srivastav (UST) 7-5, 6-2

Order of Finish
Doubles: (3, 1, 2)
Singles: (2, 1, 4, 6, 3, 5)

Next On The Docket
The Gophers will be on the road for the first time this season, heading to Boise, Idaho to face Oregon on Feb. 17 and Boise State on Feb. 18.