TCU
UNLV
TCU's Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Decision
4/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 9, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - TCU's women's tennis team attempted to stage another dramatic comeback in singles play Saturday, but fell short in a 4-3 loss to No. 48 UNLV at the Lobo Tennis Club.
The Horned Frogs played without the services of No. 2 singles player Federica Denti once again, who was injured during doubles action against SMU on April 5. She did not play singles or doubles against UNLV.
In the deciding match, at No. 2 singles, junior Gaby Mastromarino was a 6-0 winner in the first set over Aleksandra Josifoska. However, the Rebel fought back to win 7-5, 6-1 in the two following deciding sets for the match-clinching four points.
"We're struggling a bit in the doubles and making some costly errors," TCU coach Dave Borelli said. "We just need to focus a little more and work on getting better there. If we can get healthy, I feel like we've got a strong chance to defend our conference title. Unfortunately, today, Mastromarino just fell on the short end of it."
Katariina Tuohimaa added a win at No. 1 singles against one of the top players in the league in UNLV's Lucia Batta. The Helsinki, Finland, native downed the 110th-ranked Batta, 6-3, 6-0 to improve to 4-0 against Mountain West Conference foes.
TCU's Olivia Smith improved to 3-1 in MWC play with her 6-1, 7-6 victory at No. 3 singles over Nives Pavlovic. Overall this spring, Smith is 10-6 during singles play.
Shalini Sahoo got back in the win column Saturday when she grabbed a 6-3, 7-5 triumph over UNLV's Jana Albers. The New Delhi, India, native is 9-5 overall this spring.
The Rebels won the doubles point with wins in all three matches. At No. 1 doubles, Tuohimaa and Mastromarino played as partners for the first time this season due to the injury to Denti. UNLV's other two points in singles came at Nos. 4 and 6.
TCU fell to 7-9 overall and 2-2 in the MWC. UNLV improved to 15-4 and a league-best 4-0 in the conference. The Frogs return to action Sunday morning with a 10 a.m., matchup with San Diego State.
No. 48 UNLV 4, TCU 3
April 9, 2011
Lobo Tennis Club - Albuquerque, N.M.
SINGLES
1. Katariina Tuohimaa (TCU) def. #110 Lucia Batta (UNLV), 6-3, 6-0
2. Aleksandra Josifoska (UNLV) def. Gaby Mastromarino (TCU), 0-6, 7-5, 6-1
3. Olivia Smith (TCU) def. Nives Pavlovic (UNLV), 6-1, 7-6
4. Adrienn Hidvegi (UNLV) def. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU), 7-5, 6-3
5. Shalini Sahoo (TCU) def. Jana Albers (UNLV), 6-3, 7-5
6. Anna Maskaljun (UNLV) def. Maria Babanova (TCU), 6-1, 6-3
DOUBLES
1. N. Pavlovic/A. Josifoska (UNLV) def. K. Tuohimaa/G. Mastromarino (TCU), 8-4
2. L. Batta/A. Maskalyn (UNLV) def. M. Babanova/I. Hertzberg (TCU), 8-3
3. J. Albers/A. Hidvegi (UNLV) def. S. Sahoo/O. Smith (TCU), 8-6
Players Mentioned
