DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team lost a tough match to Iowa State, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

"Today's match was tough. We put ourselves in position to win, but we just couldn't finish it off and win some key points in the end," senior captain Maddie Johnson said.

The doubles point came down to a tiebreaker at the No. 2 spot after the Cyclone won on court three and Drake's Mariel Ante and Tess Herder cruised past Samantha Budai and Liza Buss, 6-1 at No. 1. Summer Brills and Johnson fell behind 5-4 and earned a break before holding serve to go up 6-5. ISU held serve to force a tiebreaker and then went on to win the breaker 7-4.

The Cyclones used their momentum from doubles to take a quick 3-0 lead with victories on court five and six. At No. 2, Brills dropped the first set 6-2 but fought to force a second set tiebreaker. Buss edged out Brills in the tiebreaker 7-5 to secure the match clinching fourth point.

"After losing a tough doubles point, it is really important to come out with good energy in singles. We came out a little flat in singles. We need to stay aggressive when the matches get close and not be afraid to lose, and just go out there and take it to our opponent when it is close," Johnson said.

The Bulldogs continue their five match homestand on Saturday, Feb. 6 when they host UW-Green Bay and Creighton. 


Iowa State 4, Drake 0
Jan 31, 2016 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Center) 

Singles competition

1. Ante, Mariel (DU) vs. Budai, Samantha (ISU) 2-6, 6-6 (2-1), unfinished

2. Buss, Liza (ISU) def. Brills, Summer (DU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)

3. Johnson, Maddie (DU) vs. Kuuttila, Anna (ISU) 6-2, 2-6, 2-2, unfinished

4. Herder, Tess (DU) vs. Espindola, Regina (ISU) 6-4, 4-1, unfinished

5. Galvis, Alejandra (ISU) def. Lomas, Joely (DU) 6-2, 6-2

6. Bonadonna, Annabella (ISU) def. Jaglarz, Mela (DU) 6-3, 6-0

 

Doubles competition

1. Ante, Mariel/Herder, Tess (DU) def. Budai, Samantha/Buss, Liza (ISU) 6-1

2. Bonadonna, Annabella/Galvis, Alejandra (ISU) def. Brills, Summer/Johnson, Maddie (DU) 7-6 (7-4)

3. Espindola, Regina/Kuuttila, Anna (ISU) def. Lomas, Joely/Jaglarz, Mela (DU) 6-2

 

Match Notes

Iowa State 4-1

Drake 2-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,5,2)