College Tennis News - MAC Champions: Miami Earns First-Ever NCAA Bid

Courtesy: Miam University Athletic Media Relations

Top-seeded RedHawks win 12th straight match, 4-0 over Western Michigan

PERRYSBURG, Ohio -- Top-seeded Miami earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tennis Championship with a 4-0 Mid-American Conference Championship match win over No. 3 Western Michigan. The victory was the 12th in a row for the RedHawks and the marked the first tournament title since 1998.

Miami (16-6) picked up the doubles point for the 13th time in 14 matches. Riekie Honiball and Brintney Larson posted an 8-2 win at No. 3 to get it started, opening a 3-0 lead, then winning four straight games at 4-2. All-tournament team members Megan Martzolf and Stephanie Danesis were up 4-3, then won four of the next five games for an 8-4 victory. Monica Gorny and Anastasia Dracheva were up 7-3, 15-0 when play was halted.

Martzolf gave Miami a 2-0 lead with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 4, then No. 2 Dracheva added another point with a 6-3, 6-0 win. The sophomore was up just 4-3 in the first before winning the next eight games.

The final point came at No. 1 singles. Gorny cruised to a 6-1, 3-0 lead over WMU's Kerstin Pahl before the all-conference first-teamer responded. She closed to within 4-3 and later fought off three match points before Gorny prevailed 6-4.

Matches by Danesis at No. 3, Larson at No. 5 and Honiball at No. 6 were abandoned after the championship.

"I am thrilled that the effort of our girls was rewarded today, not only with a championship, but also with their best tennis of the entire season." Head Coach Howard Joffe said. "I am very grateful to the coach of such a wonderful group of resourceful young ladies."

Miami, ranked 75th in the country, went undefeated during regular-season league play and won each of the tournament matches by 4-0 scores. The RedHawks were victorious in 75 of 88 matches against conference teams, an .852 winning percentage.

Miami (Ohio) University Tennis
Western Michigan vs Miami (Apr 26, 2009)

#75 Miami 4, Western Michigan 0
Apr 26, 2009 at Perrysburg, Ohio

Singles competition

1. Monica Gorny (MIAMI) def. Kerstin Pahl (WMU) 6-1, 6-4

2. Anastasia Dracheva (MIAMI) def. Emily Dudzik (WMU) 6-3, 6-0

3. Stephanie Danesis (MIAMI) vs. Ashley Moccia (WMU) 5-7, 4-2, unfinished

4. Megan Martzolf (MIAMI) def. Maria Nivia (WMU) 6-2, 6-1

5. Brintney Larson (MIAMI) vs. Amanda Moccia (WMU) 6-2, 3-5, unfinished

6. Riekie Honiball (MIAMI) vs. Yumi Matsuto (WMU) 0-6, 6-3, 2-2, unfinished

Doubles competition

1. Stephanie Danesis/Megan Martzolf (MIAMI) def. Emily Dudzik/Yumi Matsuto (WMU) 8-4

2. Anastasia Dracheva/Monica Gorny (MIAMI) vs. Amanda Moccia/Kerstin Pahl (WMU) 7-2, unfinished

3. Brintney Larson/Riekie Honiball (MIAMI) def. Ashley Moccia/Jenny Nalepa (WMU) 8-2

Match Notes

Western Michigan 20-8, No. 3 seed

Miami 15-6, No. 1 seed; National ranking #75

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,2,1)

MAC Championship Match

Miami receives automatic bid to NCAA Tournament.

It will be the RedHawks' first-ever NCAA appearance.

Official: Lynda Hinshaw T-2:45 A-80

4/28/2009
No. 72 Miami Draws Top-Ranked Northwestern in First Round
RedHawks' First NCAA Appearance will start Friday, May 8 against the Wildcats
read more at: www.muredhawks.com