LAS VEGAS – The IUPUI women’s tennis team opened Summit League action in Las Vegas against UMKC in its first of four weekend matches on Thursday, but the Jaguars were unable to emerge victorious falling to the Kangaroos, 4-3.
The match got off to a rough start for IUPUI in doubles play with IUPUI’s No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams each falling by identical scores of 8-3, securing the doubles point for UMKC.
Despite losing the doubles point, the Jaguars closed the doubles matches on a positive note with
Jesika Bays and
Shelby Hullett taking the No. 3 doubles match, 8-4.
UMKC was on the doorstep of picking up a win with victories in No. 2 and No. 5 positions that pushed its lead to 3-0.
With their backs against the wall, the Jaguars were able to make a rally beginning with strong play from
Vanessa Whyte in the No. 3 position. Whyte put IUPUI on the board winning by identical 6-3 margins, and Hullett was soon to follow.
Trailing one set to none after a 6-2 first-set loss, Hullett used a break in the second set en route to a 6-4 second-set win, evening the match at one set apiece. From that point, Hullett cruised to 6-1 third-set win closing the Jaguars deficit to 3-2.
In the final two matches, Suzan Lisenby and Bays each recorded wins for their respective sides with Lisenby’s win sending the Kangaroos on to the 4-3 win.
The loss dropped the Jaguars to 1-14 on the season and 0-1 in Summit League play.
IUPUI has a quick turnaround as it plays two matches on Friday beginning with a 9 a.m. local start against Oakland. The Jaguars then take on Southern Utah at 2 p.m.
UMKC 4, IUPUI 3
Singles competition
1. Shelby Hullett (IUPUI) def. Eva Dalvai (UMKC) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
2. Laura Bouet (UMKC) def. Danielle Haefele (IUPUI) 6-1
3. Vanessa Whyte (IUPUI) def. Chelsea Horner (UMKC) 6-3, 6-3
4. Suzan Lisenby (UMKC) def. Alisha Cummings (IUPUI) 6-3, 7-6 (7-1)
5. Jillian Yakominich (UMKC) def. Lee Matthews (IUPUI) 6-1, 6-4
6. Jesika Bays (IUPUI) def. Jessica Ball (UMKC) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-3)
Doubles competition
1. Eva Dalvai/Chelsea Horner (UMKC) def. Alisha Cummings/Danielle Haefele (IUPUI) 8-3
2. Laura Bouet/Suzan Lisenby (UMKC) def. Vanessa Whyte/Lee Matthews (IUPUI) 8-3
3. Jesika Bays/Shelby Hullett (IUPUI) def. Jillian Yakominich/Jessica Ball (UMKC) 8-4
