University of Oregon
Portland
Ducks Down the Pilots, 6-1
01/20/12 | Women's Tennis
EUGENE, Ore. - The University of Oregon women's tennis team successfully opened their 2012 spring duals season Friday afternoon (Jan. 20) with a 6-1 victory over the University of Portland (1-0).
The Ducks (1-0) got off to a quick start winning all three of their doubles matches and earning what would turn out to be a crucial first point. The No. 1 doubles team of Patricia Skowronski and Sofia Hager led the way taking down Portland's pairing of Anastasia Polyakova and Milagros Cubelli, 8-1. An equally impressive performance was turned in by the duo of Julia Metzger and Rabea Stueckemann defeating former Oregon Duck Sabine Fuchs and Katy Krauel, 8-3. The win clinched the first point of the dual for the home team.
"We did a good today by starting the season with a win," said women's head coach Paul Reber. "Credit to Portland, they've made significant improvements from last year and came in ready to battle today."
The third and final doubles match epitomized the rest of the day for the Oregon squad. Senior Trudie du Toit and Haley Driver battled out a victory over Valeska Hoath and Alice Tucker, 8-5. The ensuing singles matches proved to be equally as testing.
Driver started off the scoring for the Ducks with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Portland's Krauel. Meanwhile, Stueckemann finished off Gabrielle Gorence 6-3, 6-1 to push the Oregon advantage to 3-0. A lead that was tested after du Toit dropped her singles match to Fuchs in a hard-fought 6-4, 6-3 contest was quickly pushed over-the-top for good when Hager defeated Portland's Cubelli 7-5, 6-0.
"We did a good job holding our composure when they made a run and were able to take care of business like we were hoping to," remarked Coach Reber.
For Oregon, the No. 1 and 2 singles positions proved to be very demanding matches. With the dual victory in-hand, both Metzger and Skowronski were able to play with the confidence necessary to grind out three-set victories. The juniors (Metzger and Skowronski) were victorious 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 over Polyakova and 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 over Hoath, respectively.
An opening weekend that originally promised two home matches fell victim to Mother Nature. Heavy snow storms throughout the Pacific Northwest prevented Eastern Washington from traveling to Eugene to compete on Sunday (Jan. 22). The match with Eagles will be postponed until March.
"Unfortunately, we won't get to play on Sunday due to the weather keeping Eastern Washington at home but we're excited for next week and taking the season on the road for the first time," said Reber.
The Ducks next take the court in Stockton, Calif. where they will face Pacific on Friday, Jan. 27. The match against the Tigers marks the first of three matches in three days for the Ducks.
Oregon 6 - 1 Portland
SINGLES
1) Metzger (UO) def. Polyakova (UP) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
2) Skowronski (UO) def. Hoath (UP) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
3) Hager (UO) def. Cubelli (UP) 7-5, 6-0
4) Fuchs (UP) def. du Toit (UO) 6-4, 6-3
5) Stueckemann (UO) def. Gorence (UP) 6-3, 6-1
6) Driver (UO) def.. Krauel (UP) 6-3, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6, 5, 4, 3*, 2
DOUBLES
1) Skowronski/Hager (UO) def. Polyakova/Cubelli (UP) 8-1
2) du Toit/Driver (UO) def. Hoath/Tucker (UP) 8-5
3) Metzger/Stueckemann (UO) def. Fuchs/Krauel (UP) 8-3
Additional Singles Match
Macomson (UO) vs. Mahairas (UP) 4-6, 1-0
* indicates clinching match
Players Mentioned
