Iowa State Has Perfect Day Against Omaha

URBANDALE, Iowa - The Iowa State tennis team (4-2, 1-0 Big 12) swept Omaha (3-8, 0-0 SUMMIT) Saturday afternoon at Life Time Fitness. The Cyclones got off to a fast start in doubles play and cruised to a 7-0 victory over the Mavericks.

"The players are becoming more confident in themselves and that is a big part of tennis," head coach Boomer Saia said. "[The players] have been like sponges. They've learned quite a lot and they're starting to incorporate the things they've learned in practice."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Once again, the Cyclones got off to another hot start in doubles play. Ekaterina Grib and Margarita TImakova picked up a dominant victory against Omaha's Marie Kapelevich and Emily Behling, 6-1.

Maty Cancini and Annabella Bonadonna won their fourth straight doubles match in the No. 1 doubles slot, 6-2, to give Iowa State a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.

Six duals into the spring season, Iowa State has only lost one doubles point.

"We preach energy and aggression," Saia said. "We come at people, we don't wait for people to come at us."

The hot start continued into singles play as Ekaterina Repina made quick work of Natalie Lorentz. The Cyclone sophomore didn't drop a set as she won 6-0, 6-0 to give Iowa State a 2-0 lead over Omaha.

Maty Cancini extended the Cyclone lead to 3-0 with a victory in the No. 1 singles spot over Ines Absisan, 6-0, 6-1.

The No. 5 singles match clinched the dual for Iowa State. Annabella Bonadonna defeated Emily Behling, 6-0, 6-2.

Regina Espindola got her 60th career singles win for the Cyclones in the No. 3 spot. The senior defeated Marie Kapelevich, 6-1, 6-2 to extend the Cyclone lead to 5-0. The Tabsco, Mexico native is now tied for 9th on Iowa State's career singles wins list.

Ekaterina Grib kept it rolling for the Cyclones in the No. 2 singles match as she cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Janelle Wilson.

Margarita Timakova completed the perfect day for the Cyclones with a 6-3, 7-6 win over Savanna Crowell.

NEXT UP
Iowa State returns to action tomorrow at 1 PM against Drake (4-6, 0-0 MVC). That match will be played in Des Moines, Iowa at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

Iowa State defeated Drake 4-3 last season.

"I know it's going to be a battle tomorrow," Saia said. "I think the girls can use this win to motivate them in a big match tomorrow."

Doubles
Maty Cancini/Annabella Bonadonna (ISU) def. Savanna Crowell/Natalie Lorentz (OMAHA), 6-2
Regina Espindola/Ekaterina Repina (ISU) vs. Ines Absisan/Janelle Wilson (OMAHA), 5-3, uf
Ekaterina Grib/Margarita Timakova (ISU) def. Emily Begling/Marie Kapelevich (OMAHA), 6-1

Singles
Maty Cancini (ISU) def. Ines Absisan (OMAHA), 6-0, 6-1
Ekaterina Grib (ISU) def. Janelle Wilson (OMAHA), 6-3, 6-1
Regina Espindola (ISU) def. Marie Kapelevich (OMAHA), 6-1, 6-2
Ekaterina Repina (ISU) def. Natalie Lorentz (OMAHA), 6-0, 6-0
Annabella Bonadonna (ISU) def. Emily Behling (OMAHA), 6-0, 6-2
Margarita Timakova (ISU) def. Savanna Crowell (OMAHA), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)

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Players Mentioned

Annabella Bonadonna

Maty Cancini

Regina Espindola

Ekaterina Grib

Ekaterina Repina

Margarita Timakova

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics