University of Denver
Alabama
No. 52 Pioneers Top No. 37 Alabama
1/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Jan. 27, 2006
DENVER - After falling to regional rival Colorado in the season opener last week, the 52nd-ranked University of Denver women's tennis squad posted a strong rebound Friday afternoon with a 4-3 upset over No. 37 Alabama at Monaco Athletic Club. The Pioneers even to 1-1 on the season while `Bama takes a loss in its season opener.
"I am so proud of the way we came out and competed today," said head coach Dana Young. "From the first point in doubles to the last in singles, we fought hard throughout the entire match and played with tremendous confidence."
The Pioneers improve to 2-0 on the season in capturing the doubles point. Marisa Mechem (Fredricksburg, Texas) and Lorinda Boothman (Naples, Fla.) got things started with an 8-3 win over Melissa Day and Sofia Ayala. Annette Aksdal (Oslo, Norway) and Rachel Sackmaster (Alpharetta, Ga.) followed at No. 2 doubles, defeating Maria Muller and Andrea Brenes, 8-4.
In singles, Aksdal improved to 2-0 on the season with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Melissa Day in the No. 3 position. Fellow rookies Kyla Iwinski (Marietta, Ga.) and Boothman followed with big wins at No. 5 and 6, respectively, securing the match in Denver's favor. Iwinski defeated Shelley Godwin 6-3, 6-4, while Boothman ousted Ayala 6-3, 6-3.
With two matches down, Young has good reason to believe in her rookie class who have stepped up big in both singles and doubles.
Up next, the Pioneers host BYU tomorrow at 5 p.m.
#52 Denver 4, #37 Alabama 3
1/27/2006 at Denver, Colo.
Singles competition
1. #13 Robin Stephenson (ALA) def. Suzana Maksovic (DEN-W) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
2. Ashley Bentley (ALA) def. Rachel Sackmaster (DEN-W) 6-3, 6-2
3. Annette Aksdal (DEN-W) def. Melissa Day (ALA) 6-1, 6-2
4. Maria Muller (ALA) def. Marisa Mechem (DEN-W) 6-4, 6-3
5. Kyla Iwinski (DEN-W) def. Shelley Godwin (ALA) 6-3, 6-4
6. Lorinda Boothman (DEN-W) def. Sofia Ayala (ALA) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #15 Robin Stephenson/Ashley Bentley (ALA) def. Suzana Maksovic/Kyla Iwinski (DEN-W) 8-1
2. Annette Aksdal/Rachel Sackmaster (DEN-W) def. Maria Muller/Andrea Brenes (ALA) 8-4
3. Marisa Mechem/Lorinda Boothman (DEN-W) def. Melissa Day/Sofia Ayala (ALA) 8-3
Match Notes
Alabama 0-1; National ranking #37
Denver 1-1; National ranking #52
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,4,5,6,1)
T-4:00
