Air Force Academy

March 1, 2008

The University of Northern Iowa women's tennis team defeated Air Force, 4-3, Saturday in Lincoln, Neb. The Falcons rebounded, however, to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 7-0, later in the day. Air Force is now 4-11 this season.

UNI started the morning match strong, winning all three doubles matches to win the doubles point. Ashton Schwerin and Taynara Moraes teamed up to win at No. 1 doubles, 8-2, over Falcon juniors Christine Abayan and Meghan Kiser. Carolina Hannes and Sampada Kanade topped senior Erika Shortridge and freshman Katrina Eromin, 8-3, while Meghana Paritala and Laia Gonzalez-Garrido held off senior Lauren Wilson and sophomore Erlyn Rudico, 8-7 (2).

The teams spilt the six singles matches, with Air Force freshmen winning at Nos. 4, 5 and 6. Samantha Sarkis won a hard-fought, 6-1, 6-7, (10-6) match at No. 4 over Moraes, while Christen Monreal continued her outstanding play with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 5 over Diana Mendez. Sarah Cassman won at No. 6, downing Hannes, 7-5, 6-2.

UNI clinched the team match by winning at the top three spots in straight sets Paritala beat Abayan 7-5, 6-3 in No. 1 singles, while Kanade held off Wilson in No. 2 singles 7-5, 6-4, and Gonzalez-Garrido topped Kiser 6-4, 6-2, at No. 3.

The Falcons are back in action on Friday, March 7 as they host Colorado College (9 a.m.) and North Texas (5 p.m.).

Northern Iowa 4, Air Force 3

Singles
1. Meghana Paritala (UNI) def. Christine Abayan, 7-5, 6-3
2. Sampada Kanade (UNI) def. Lauren Wilson, 7-5, 6-4
3. Laia Gonzalez-Garrido (UNI) def. Meghan Kiser, 6-4, 6-2
4. Samantha Sarkis (AF) def. Taynara Moraes, 6-1, 6-7, (10-6)
5. Christen Monreal (AF) def. Diana Mendez, 6-4, 6-4
6. Sarah Cassman (AF) def. Carolina Hannes, 7-5, 6-2

Doubles
1. Schwerin/Moraes (UNI) def. Abayan/Kiser, 8-2
2. Hannes/Kanade (UNI) def. Katrina Eromin/Erika Shortridge, 8-3
3. Paritala/Gonzalez-Garrido (UNI) def. Wilson/Erlyn Rudico, 8-7(2)

Air Force 7, Nebraska-Kearney 0

Singles
1. Christine Abayan (AF) def. Mary Outhwaite, 6-3, 6-2
2. Lauren Wilson (AF) def. Kristen Messbarger, 6-3, 6-2
3. Meghan Kiser (AF) def. Marcelle Strydom, 6-3, 6-2
4. Samantha Sarkis (AF) def. McKenna Irwin 6-2, 6-0
5. Christen Monreal (AF) def. Jenna Eichman, 6-1, 6-2
6. Katrina Eromin (AF) def. Callie Erickson, 6-0, 6-1

Doubles
1. Eromin/Erika Shortridge (AF) def. Outhwaite/Messbarger, 8-4
2. Sarkis/Monreal (AF) def. Irwin/Erickson, 8-2
3. Erlyn Rudico/Sarah Cassman (AF) def. Strydom/Eichman, 8-3