Friday, April 12
Minneapolis, MN
3:30 PM
University of Minnesota
4
vs
2
Michigan State
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers' Singles Rally in 4-2 Win Over Spartans
4/12/2024 8:45:00 PM | Tennis
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota tennis program secured their eleventh team win of the season, defeating Michigan State 4-2 at home on Friday afternoon. The Gophers bring their Big Ten conference record back even at 4-4 on the year with three more regular season matches left to play.
Quote from Coach Arterberry
"Today was a good day," said head coach Lois Arterberry. "Both teams battled all the way down to the wire. Our girls stepped up today and got the job done, which, this deep in the season, is what it's all about. We're really excited to see where we go the rest of the way, through the regular season and into the Big Ten tournament."
Coach Arterberry on Mia Liepert
"Great job to Mia for pulling out the winning match. It was a really, really close and tough match, and she earned that win all the way."
Key Moments
Michigan State took the doubles point to start the day. In the No. 1 spot, Anali Kocevar and Emma Belluomini fell 6-1 against Ayshe Can and Liisa Vehvilainen. No. 3 Zeyneb Sarioglan and Aiva Schmitz also were dealt a 6-1 loss, which clinched the point for the Spartans. The Gophers' No. 2 pair Mia Liepert and Sofia Pinto were just one game away from a possible win of their own, but their 5-2 match was left unfinished
The singles round came down to the wire, with the Maroon and Gold coming out on top. Minnesota secured back-to-back points early in spots 3 and 4, with Emma Belluomini's 6-2, 6-1 win over Ayshe Can putting the Gophers ahead. Michigan's No. 5 Issey Purser then defeated Zeyneb Sarioglan to bring the match to a 3-2 score. The last two matches both went to a third set. Freshman Mia Liepert then clinched the Minnesota victory with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) win in a battle against The Spartan's No. 1 Matilde Morais. No. 2 Anali Kocevar's tight 7-6 (7-0), 6-7 (3-7), 5-4 match was left unfinished.
Results
Doubles
1. Ayshe Can/Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) def. Anali Kocevar/Emma Belluomini (MINN) 6-1.
2. Mia Liepert/Sofia Pinto (MINN) vs. Ria Bhakta/Issey Purser (MSU) 5-2, unfinished.
3. Nicole Conrad/Matilde Morais (MSU) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan/Aiva Schmitz (MINN) 6-1.
Singles
1. Mia Liepert (MINN) def. Matilde Morais (MSU) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
2. Anali Kocevar (MINN) vs. Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) 7-6 (7-0), 6-7 (3-7), 5-4, unfinished.
3. Aiva Schmitz (MINN) def. Ria Bhakta (MSU) 6-2, 1-0, retired.
4. Emma Belluomini (MINN) def. Ayshe Can (MSU) 6-2, 6-1.
5. Issey Purser (MSU) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan (MINN) 6-3, 6-3.
6. Sofia Pinto (MINN) def. Nicole Conrad (MSU) 6-0, 6-3.
Order of Finish
Doubles: 1, 3
Singles: 3, 6, 4, 5, 1
Next Up
On Sunday, Apr. 14, the Gophers will host the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines at Baseline Tennis Center at 11:00 a.m. CT.
Quote from Coach Arterberry
"Today was a good day," said head coach Lois Arterberry. "Both teams battled all the way down to the wire. Our girls stepped up today and got the job done, which, this deep in the season, is what it's all about. We're really excited to see where we go the rest of the way, through the regular season and into the Big Ten tournament."
Coach Arterberry on Mia Liepert
"Great job to Mia for pulling out the winning match. It was a really, really close and tough match, and she earned that win all the way."
Key Moments
Michigan State took the doubles point to start the day. In the No. 1 spot, Anali Kocevar and Emma Belluomini fell 6-1 against Ayshe Can and Liisa Vehvilainen. No. 3 Zeyneb Sarioglan and Aiva Schmitz also were dealt a 6-1 loss, which clinched the point for the Spartans. The Gophers' No. 2 pair Mia Liepert and Sofia Pinto were just one game away from a possible win of their own, but their 5-2 match was left unfinished
The singles round came down to the wire, with the Maroon and Gold coming out on top. Minnesota secured back-to-back points early in spots 3 and 4, with Emma Belluomini's 6-2, 6-1 win over Ayshe Can putting the Gophers ahead. Michigan's No. 5 Issey Purser then defeated Zeyneb Sarioglan to bring the match to a 3-2 score. The last two matches both went to a third set. Freshman Mia Liepert then clinched the Minnesota victory with a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) win in a battle against The Spartan's No. 1 Matilde Morais. No. 2 Anali Kocevar's tight 7-6 (7-0), 6-7 (3-7), 5-4 match was left unfinished.
Results
Doubles
1. Ayshe Can/Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) def. Anali Kocevar/Emma Belluomini (MINN) 6-1.
2. Mia Liepert/Sofia Pinto (MINN) vs. Ria Bhakta/Issey Purser (MSU) 5-2, unfinished.
3. Nicole Conrad/Matilde Morais (MSU) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan/Aiva Schmitz (MINN) 6-1.
Singles
1. Mia Liepert (MINN) def. Matilde Morais (MSU) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
2. Anali Kocevar (MINN) vs. Liisa Vehvilainen (MSU) 7-6 (7-0), 6-7 (3-7), 5-4, unfinished.
3. Aiva Schmitz (MINN) def. Ria Bhakta (MSU) 6-2, 1-0, retired.
4. Emma Belluomini (MINN) def. Ayshe Can (MSU) 6-2, 6-1.
5. Issey Purser (MSU) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan (MINN) 6-3, 6-3.
6. Sofia Pinto (MINN) def. Nicole Conrad (MSU) 6-0, 6-3.
Order of Finish
Doubles: 1, 3
Singles: 3, 6, 4, 5, 1
Next Up
On Sunday, Apr. 14, the Gophers will host the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines at Baseline Tennis Center at 11:00 a.m. CT.