ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – The University of Chicago women's tennis team reversed a result from two weeks ago and outlasted Case Western Reserve University 5-4 in Friday's quarterfinal matchup at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship.
The No. 16-ranked Maroons improved to 10-4. The No. 20-ranked Spartans dropped to 12-5.
In the eight-team conference tournament, UChicago entered as the No. 4 seed while CWR came in as the No. 5 seed. The two sides faced off two weeks earlier indoors in Chicago, with the Spartans winning the final match at No. 6 singles to emerge with a 5-4 decision.
On Friday, Case went ahead 2-1 after the doubles portion. UChicago's first team points came from the No. 3 doubles pair of sophomores Ariana Iranpour and Courtney Warren, who stormed to an 8-2 victory.
The Maroons quickly went ahead 3-2 in the team score after two quick wins at No. 2 and No. 5 singles. Freshman Rachel Kim took her match 6-2, 6-0 and junior Tiffany Chen was equally dominant 6-1, 6-1. The Spartans answered back with two victories of their own at No. 1 and No. 4 to recapture the lead at 4-3.
The day's result would hinge on a pair of three-setters. Senior Lucy Tang lost the first set at No. 3 by a score of 6-3, but then reversed the momentum and won with matching 6-3, 6-3 tallies in the second and third sets. With the team score tied, it all came down to the No. 6 position once again. Freshman Kat Stevanovich captured the first set 7-5 and her opponent Sara Zargham answered in the second set, 6-4. This time, Stevanovich locked down the third set to win with a 6-1 score.
UChicago 5, Case 4
Singles
1. Nithya Kanagasegar (CWR) def. Ariana Iranpour (UC) 6-4, 6-4
2. Rachel Kim (UC) def. Jessica Liu (CWR) 6-2, 6-0
3. Lucy Tang (UC) def. Surya Khadilkar (CWR) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Taylor Sweeney (CWR) def. Kaela Bynoe (UC) 7-6 (7-2), 7-5
5. Tiffany Chen (UC) def. Michelle Djohan (CWR) 6-1, 6-1
6. Kat Stevanovich (UC) def. Sara Zargham (CWR) 7-5, 4-6, 6-1
Doubles
1. Nithya Kanagasegar/Sara Zargham (CWR) def. Rachel Kim/Lucy Tang (UC) 8-4
2. Surya Khadilkar/Michelle Djohan (CWR) def. Tiffany Chen/Stephanie Lee (UC) 8-4
3. Ariana Iranpour/Courtney Warren (UC) def. Jessica Liu/Taylor Sweeney (CWR) 8-2
NEXT MATCH:
- Saturday, April 23 – UChicago vs. Emory University at UAA Championship (Altamonte Springs, Fla.), 2 PM (ET)
