Feb. 12, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin began a busy weekend hosting the 2010 ITA Women's Team Indoor Championship taking on No. 1 Duke in the first round. The Badgers fell 6-1 in the decision, however, freshman Hannah Berner was a bright spot for the Badgers upsetting No. 63 Monica Gorny as she earned Wisconsin's lone win of the day.
“The team competed extremely well today and now we know why Duke is the top-ranked team,” said head coach Brian Fleishman. “We had a match point at No. 3 doubles with Hannah, and this was a much better showing than we did last year at this time. The team is improving and now we just have to start believing.”
Last year, Wisconsin faced Duke in the first round, dropping the decision, 7-0.
Wisconsin got off to a rough start in doubles play falling in all three matches to the Blue Devils. After the doubles point was decided by the Nos. 1 and 2 slots, co-captains Jessica Seyferth and Katya Mirnova kept fighting against Duke. Although the duo held the lead for the majority of the match, Duke eventually won 8-6.
Seyferth kept up the intensity going into singles play as she took on Duke's No. 80 Amanda Granson in the No. 4 slot. Once again the Badger had control during the first set, but eventually fell 7-5, and then 6-2 in the second set.
UW also dropped in the Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6 spots to the Blue Devils to give them the win.
Dropping 6-3, 6-1 to No. 91 Ellah Nze, Mirnova faced her fourth ranked player in singles play this season as one of Wisconsin's most experienced returners.
In the No. 5 spot, Berner came back strong after dropping her first set 6-0, and closing Wisconsin’s match on a high note. The match went to a third set after Berner claimed the 6-2 second set win. The third set tiebreak finished with Berner on top, 10-6. It was her first win over a ranked player.
In other scores from the day, North Carolina, Baylor, Florida, Northwestern, Duke, California, UCLA, and USC will all be advancing in the championship draw of the tournament. North Carolina and UCLA were the only teams to upset seeded opponents in the first round of the tournament, knocking off No. 4 Georgia and No. 6 Miami.
“It’s great to be able to host this event and be able to see such great competition in Madison,” Fleishman said. “Everyone is guaranteed quality matches.”
Wisconsin returns in the consolation round of the tournament tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 13, against Clemson during the morning session at 9 a.m. All four of the consolation matches begin at 9 a.m. with the main draw starting at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
For scores, match times and live stats please go to the tournament central page.
Julie McKay, UW Athletic Communications
#1 Duke 6, Wisconsin 1
Feb 12, 2010 at Madison, Wis. (Nielsen Tennis Stadium)
Singles competition
1. #20 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) def. Angela Chupa (WIS) 6-0, 6-1
2. #91 Ellah Nze (DU) def. Katya Mirnova (WIS) 6-3, 6-1
3. Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) 6-0, 6-1
4. #80 Amanda Granson (DU) def. Jessica Seyferth (WIS) 7-5, 6-2
5. Hannah Berner (WIS) def. #63 Monica Gorny (DU) 0-6, 6-2, 10-6
6. Mary Clayton (DU) def. Kathleen Saltarelli (WIS) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Amanda Granson/Ellah Nze (DU) def. Angela Chupa/Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) 8-4
2. Reka Zsilinszka/Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Hannah Berner/Kathleen Saltarelli (WIS) 8-3
3. Monica Gorny/Jessica Stiles (DU) def. Jessica Seyferth/Katya Mirnova (WIS) 8-6 (6-0)
Match Notes
Wisconsin 2-5
Duke 6-0; National ranking #1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,2,4,1,3,5)
