University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Rick Yeatts Photography
UNT Has Solid First Day At Metroplex Mania
1/10/2020 5:18:00 PM | Women's Tennis
DALLAS — In its final tune-up tournament before the start of spring season, the North Texas tennis team had a tremendous first day at the Metroplex Mania held on the SMU campus.
In a tournament that features three schools that finished in the top 45 of last season's final national rankings, the Mean Green went 5-1 in singles. Nidhi Surapaneni and Maria Ponomareva each won a singles match and then teamed up for a doubles victory over Wisconsin who ended last season ranked No. 39 in the nation.
"I'm so happy to see that everyday got so much better during the first semester," said Ponomareva. "Now, I feel like the girls are playing their best tennis and enjoying the game. Also, we are working on support so much and it's getting better every day and everybody is into the process."
In singles, Ponomareva faced the very challenging SMU senior Tiffany Hollebeck, but the Mean Green sophomore rolled to a straight set victory after a tight first set that saw her win the tiebreak. She'd win the singles match 7-6(3), 6-4.
Surapaneni faced a Denver opponent and dominated.
The Mean Green junior beat her Italian Denver opponent Alessia Truden 6-2, 6-1.
Also picking up wins on Friday at the SMU Metroplex Mania was UNT senior Haruka Sasaki and freshmen Kexuan Zhou and Sophia Hummel.
"I personally love being on this team," Ponomareva said. "Our practices made my endurance better and my shots became more stable. I was a little nervous to play today, because it was the first match of the semester. However, I think that the team and I handled it very well. I'm looking forward to seeing us becoming better every day."
RESULTS
1. Tatum Burger(DU) Def. Alexandra Heczey (UNT); 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
2. Nidhi Surapaneni (UNT) def. Alessia Truden (DU); 6-2, 6-1
3. Mariya Ponomareva (UNT) def. Tiffany Hollebeck (SMU); 7-6 (3) 6-4
4. Sophia Hummel (UNT) def. Christina Zordani (Wisconsin); 2-6, 7-6 (4), 10-7
5. Kexuan Zhou (UNT) def. Emma Pieroni (SMU); 6-2, 7-5
6. Haruka Sasaki (UNT) def. Dani Perales (SMU); 6-2, 6-0
In a tournament that features three schools that finished in the top 45 of last season's final national rankings, the Mean Green went 5-1 in singles. Nidhi Surapaneni and Maria Ponomareva each won a singles match and then teamed up for a doubles victory over Wisconsin who ended last season ranked No. 39 in the nation.
"I'm so happy to see that everyday got so much better during the first semester," said Ponomareva. "Now, I feel like the girls are playing their best tennis and enjoying the game. Also, we are working on support so much and it's getting better every day and everybody is into the process."
In singles, Ponomareva faced the very challenging SMU senior Tiffany Hollebeck, but the Mean Green sophomore rolled to a straight set victory after a tight first set that saw her win the tiebreak. She'd win the singles match 7-6(3), 6-4.
Surapaneni faced a Denver opponent and dominated.
The Mean Green junior beat her Italian Denver opponent Alessia Truden 6-2, 6-1.
Also picking up wins on Friday at the SMU Metroplex Mania was UNT senior Haruka Sasaki and freshmen Kexuan Zhou and Sophia Hummel.
"I personally love being on this team," Ponomareva said. "Our practices made my endurance better and my shots became more stable. I was a little nervous to play today, because it was the first match of the semester. However, I think that the team and I handled it very well. I'm looking forward to seeing us becoming better every day."
RESULTS
1. Tatum Burger(DU) Def. Alexandra Heczey (UNT); 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
2. Nidhi Surapaneni (UNT) def. Alessia Truden (DU); 6-2, 6-1
3. Mariya Ponomareva (UNT) def. Tiffany Hollebeck (SMU); 7-6 (3) 6-4
4. Sophia Hummel (UNT) def. Christina Zordani (Wisconsin); 2-6, 7-6 (4), 10-7
5. Kexuan Zhou (UNT) def. Emma Pieroni (SMU); 6-2, 7-5
6. Haruka Sasaki (UNT) def. Dani Perales (SMU); 6-2, 6-0
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Friday, May 15
Monday, May 11
Saturday, April 18
Wednesday, April 15