Tiebreaker starts UTSA to win at NSU, Lady Demons play twice at home Saturday

Natalya Krutova

A tiebreaker win earned the doubles point for Texas-San Antonio, starting the visitors to a 5-2 victory over Northwestern State Friday in non-conference college women’s tennis.

The Lady Demons play at home twice Saturday, at 9:30 a.m. against Texas State and at 3:30 against Alcorn State, at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex. They will aim to post their first win after dropping their fifth straight non-conference match Friday.

The 7-6 victory in No. 1 doubles by UTSA’s Jacobea Junger and Miriam Rosell Canudas over Natalya Krutova and Iryna Vardanian launched the Roadrunners’ match triumph. UTSA rose to 4-5 with the outcome.

Polina Mutel won twice for the Lady Demons. She and Polina Ivanova beat Nicole Karaklis and Alena Shichkova 6-1 in the No. 2 position. At No. 3 singles, Mutel prevailed 6-4, 6-3 over Shichkova.

NSU’s other point came from Vardanian, who topped Junger 6-3, 7-5 in the No. 2 singles match.

In the most dramatic singles contest, UTSA’s Karalis edged Lady Demon Alzbeta Veverkova 3-6, 7-6, 10-3. UTSA’s other wins came in straight sets.

UTSA 5, Northwestern State 2

Doubles
1. Jacobea Junger/Miriam Rosell Canudas (UTSA) def. Natalya Krutova/Iryna Vardanian 7-6
2. Polina Ivanova/Polina Mutel (NSU) def. Nicole Karaklis/Alena Shichkova 6-1
3. Lina Hallgren/Charlene Tiwari (UTSA) def. Barbora Kollarova/Alzbeta Veverkova 6-0

Singles
1. Miriam Rosell Canudas (UTSA) def. Natalya Krutova 6-3, 6-2
2. Iryna Vardanian (NSU) def. Jacobea Junger 6-3, 7-5
3. Polina Mutel (NSU) def. Alena Shichkova 6-4, 6-3
4. Charlene Tiwari (UTSA) def. Alzbeta Veverkova 3-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-3)
5. Nicole Karaklis (UTSA) def. Ilijana Ivic 6-4, 6-4
6. Lina Hallgren (UTSA) def. Polina Ivanova 6-4, 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,3,2,5,6,4)