University of Missouri
Wisconsin
Badgers Edge Tigers, 5-2
2/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Feb. 27, 2009
Columbia, Mo. – The Missouri Tigers (4-4, 0-0 Big 12) fell for the fourth time this season, each of the losses suffered to ranked programs out of the highly competitive Big Ten conference. Mizzou welcomed the Wisconsin Badgers (4-6, 0-0 Big Ten) to the Green Center in Columbia, Mo. for dual action on Friday (Feb. 27) afternoon. The Badgers were coming off hosting the ITA National Indoor Championships, and have competed against four top 25 programs so far this season. Play began at 3:00 p.m.
The doubles teams split wins, and the point came down to the No. 1 doubles position. Jessica Giuggioli and Kaitlyn Ritchie played strong all day and led their Badger counterparts Elizabeth Carpenter and Angela Chupa 8-7, 40-0. But the Tigers were unable to hold the lead and close out the doubles point. Tied at 8-8, the pair came up just short 8-6 in the deciding tie-break, to hand the visiting Badgers one of their two doubles victories. At No. 3 partners Sofia Ayala and Danielle Day earned their seventh win of the spring season as they took down Aleksandra Markovic and Emese Kardhordo, 8-4.
"We've done this twice this season and it has cost us both times," said head coach Blake Starkey. "We need to learn to close it out. These are very good teams, and we did everything but close the door. We just need to close it out, and I feel that is coming. Sometimes you have to hurt a little before you finally get to where you want to be. Give Wisconsin credit. They competed very well with their backs against the wall and found a way to get the victory.”
The Tigers appeared poised to rebound as they jumped to leads on all four of the singles courts. They dropped two three-setters at No. 1 and No. 2, and went on to record two singles victories at the No. 3 and No. 6 spots. Freshman Jamie Mera put away Markovic in three sets. At the No. 6 spot Ayala took down Erin Jobe, 6-4, 6-3.
“Our girls were really excited to play. All of the matches were so close,” said assistant coach Helena Besovic. “We had a lot of fans out, that really helped the girls. They are definitely ready to come back and play on Sunday. There was a lot of good energy in here (the Tennis Center) and the girls really fed off of it. We're looking forward to seeing the same energy against Oklahoma on Sunday.”
Missouri will be back in action on Sunday (March 1) when they open Big 12 play against the Oklahoma Sooners. Play will begin at 1:00 p.m. inside the Green Tennis Center. Admission is free and Tiger fans are encouraged to come out and support the Tigers.
Final Team Score: Wisconsin 5, Missouri 2
Complete Doubles Results
No. 1 Carpenter/Chupa (WISC) def. Ritchie/Giuggioli (MIZ) 9-8 (8-6)
No. 2 Mirnova/Seyferth (WISC) def. Weber/Mera (MIZ) 8-6
No. 3 Ayala Day (MIZ) def. Markovic/Karshordo (WISC) 8-4
Complete Singles Results
No. 1 Elizabeth Carpenter (WISC) def. Mallory Weber (MIZ) 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3
No. 2 Katya Mirnova (WISC) def. Jessica Giuggioli (MIZ) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
No. 3 Jamie Mera (MIZ) def. Aleksandra Markovic (WISC) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5
No. 4 Angela Chupa (WISC) def. Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) 6-3, 6-4
No. 5 Jessica Seyferth (WISC) def. Danielle Day (MIZ) 6-0, 6-2
No. 6 Sofia Ayala (MIZ) def. Erin Jobe (WISC) 6-4, 6-3
Players Mentioned
