Zach Anderson

The SDSU women’s tennis team fell to the University of Northern Iowa 7-0 Feb. 22 at the Black Hawk Tennis Center. UNI dominated and did not allow a single Jackrabbit to win a single set in all six matches.

In singles matches, UNI dominated, winning all matches convincingly. UNI’s Meghana Paritala defeated SDSU’s Kate Wylie 6-1 and 6-0. The Panther’s Sampada Kanade swept the Jackrabbit’s Jennifer Sondreal 6-0 and 6-0.

In other singles action, UNI’s Laia Gonzalez-Garrido defeated SDSU’s Caitlin Brannen 6-1, 6-1 in two straight sets. The Panther’s Taynara Moraes defeated the Jackrabbit’s Carrie Jansen 6-0, 6-0.

The Panthers continued their control of the singles action when Diana Mendez defeated Jackrabbit’s Emma Wylie 6-1 and 6-0. Singles action concluded when UNI’s Carolina Hannes defeated SDSU’s Nellie Bloomberg 6-0 and 6-0.

The Jackrabbit women did not fare well in doubles matches either, dropping all three matches 8-3, 8-3 and 8-1.

The UNI team of Kanade and Moraes defeated the SDSU team of sisters, Kate Wylie and Emma Wylie, 8-3. The Panther’s team of Ashton Schwerin and Paritala defeated the Jackrabbit’s team of Brannen and Jansen, 8-3.

UNI finished the duals with an 8-1 victory; Hannes and Gonzalez beat SDSU’s Bloomberg and Sondreal to hold the Jackrabbits without a victory.

The Jackrabbits dropped to 0-8 in women’s tennis duals for the season, while UNI improved to 6-1 on the season.

The women have struggled so far this season in duals; some of it may be linked to the fact that there are only two seniors, four sophomores and three freshmen on the team. The lack of experience is causing some problems for the Jacks as they try to find a way to win.

The Jackrabbits have not been losing to mediocre opponents either; some of their losses have come at the hands of 8-1 Minnesota, 1-3 Creighton, 2-4 Air Force, 4-7 Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2-6 Northern Colorado, 2-3 Montana State and 2-3 Drake.

The quality of opponents the Jackrabbits have faced will give them good experience and put them in good shape when Summit League play begins.

The women will begin Summit League play April 5 against IUPUI. The Summit League Championships will be played April 25-26 at Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Jackrabbits will return to action Feb. 29 against Augustana at 6:30 p.m. in Sioux Falls.