All eight members of UTM’s tennis team saw action today as the Skyhawks began the 2020-21 campaign with a pair of 7-0 setbacks at Tennessee.
UTM battled throughout the day against the Lady Vols, who extended their home winning streak to nine matches.
During the morning matchup, Jillian Niedzialowski and Sina Albersmeier teamed up for the first time in doubles as the No. 3 squad fell 6-0. Joining forces for the first time since Feb. 10, 2019 was Amelia Campbell and Jule Streif, who were defeated by a 6-1 margin in the No. 2 slot. Representing the Skyhawks at No. 1 doubles was Daphne Pratt and Aziza Aubin, who played alongside each other for the first time in their careers in a 6-2 setback.
In singles action, Campbell competed at No. 1 for just the second time in her career, falling to ranked Carly Briggs by a 6-2, 6-1 margin. Albersmeier was slotted at No. 5 and fell 6-2, 6-1 while Streif was defeated 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3. Aubin fell 6-2, 6-3 at No. 4 while Pratt was matched up with a ranked opponent at No. 2, falling 6-2, 6-1. Mizuki Sakurai rounded out singles play with a 6-1, 6-3 setback at No. 6.
UTM showed improvement in its doubles scores during the afternoon match. At No. 3, Sakurai joined Ariadna Ondo as the duo fell 6-2. Pratt and Aubin were defeated by a 6-1 margin in the No. 2 position while the Skyhawks’ No. 1 team of Campbell and Streif came closest to a victory but were narrowly defeated, 6-4.
Aubin competed at No. 2 singles for the first time in her UTM career, falling to a ranked opponent by a 6-2, 6-1 score. Niedzialowski was defeated 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5 while Sakurai fell 6-1, 6-0 at No. 4. Ondo concluded her collegiate debut with a 6-1, 6-2 setback in the No. 6 slot while Pratt (6-0, 6-2) and Streif (6-2, 6-1) fell at No. 1 and No. 3, respectively.
The Skyhawks get right back at it next week when they visit a pair of in-state nonconference foes. UTM will travel to Lipscomb on Friday, Jan. 22 before taking on Chattanooga on Sunday, Jan. 24.
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