March 26, 2017
NOTRE DAME, Indiana – The University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team rebounded from a disappointing result on Friday against NC State with a 5-2 victory over Miami, Fla., on Sunday afternoon at the Courtney Tennis Center. The Irish raced out to a 3-0 lead and clinched the match at 4-1.
Notre Dame improved to 15-3 overall and 6-2 in the ACC, while the Hurricanes dropped to 4-9 and 3-5.
How It Happened
While the Irish got off to a slow start during their 4-3 loss to NC State on Friday, Notre Dame did not find itself in a hole against Miami.
The Irish jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the conclusion of doubles play. Notre Dame claimed victories at the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. Brooke Broda and Allison Miller cruised past Ana Madcur and Estela Perez-Somarriba at No. 2, 6-0. Mary Closs and Monica Robinson were equally impressive at No. 1 doubles. The Irish duo was victorious, 6-2.
In the lone match left unfinished, Jane Fennelly and Zoe Spence were tied, 3-3, with Sara Culbertson and Silvia Fuentes.
Notre Dame carried momentum from the doubles matches into singles play, as the Irish quickly pushed their lead to 3-0.
Miller and Broda both registered straight-set victories at No. 3 and No. 2, respectively. Miller routed Epstein, 6-0, 6-1, in a match that lasted a little over an hour. Miller improved to 20-6 overall, 15-3 in dual matches and 6-2 in the ACC. Broda dominated Paterova, 6-2, 6-4. Broda now stands 16-6, 10-4 and 4-3.
Culbertson briefly halted the Irish momentum with a 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Fennelly at No. 6 singles to give Miami its opening point, but Closs put the match away with an incredible effort at No. 5 singles.
Closs dropped the opening set to Madcur, 4-6, but rebounded with two of her better sets of the season. She took the second set, 6-3, and then never looked back in the final set, 6-0. Closs improved to 12-8 overall, 10-3 in dual matches and 4-2 in the ACC.
The final two matches were both played out before competition concluded. Robinson picked up an impressive victory against No. 33 Perez-Somarriba, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Robinson improved to 18-7, 13-3 and 7-1. The victory for Robinson was her first of the season over a top-50 ranked player in the nation.
Fuentes concluded the day by earning a three-set win over Spence, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, to give Miami its second point.
Up Next
The Irish are back in action at 3:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 31, as Notre Dame travels to Virginia Tech.
Scoreboard
No. 26 Notre Dame 5, No. 37 Miami, Fla. 2
March 26, 2017
Courtney Tennis Center
Notre Dame, Ind.
Singles
1. Monica Robinson (ND) def. #33 E. Perez-Somarriba (UM) 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
2. Brooke Broda (ND) def. Dominika Paterova (UM) 6-2, 6-4
3. Allison Miller (ND) def. Maci Epstein (UM) 6-0, 6-1
4. Silvia Fuentes (UM) def. Zoe Spence (ND) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
5. Mary Closs (ND) def. Ana Madcur (UM) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
6. Sara Culbertson (UM) def. Jane Fennelly (ND) 7-5, 6-2
Doubles
1. Monica Robinson / Mary Closs (ND) def. Maci Epstein / Dominika Paterova (UM) 6-2
2. Allison Miller / Brooke Broda (ND) def. Ana Madcur / E. Perez-Somarriba (UM) 6-0
3. Jane Fennelly / Zoe Spence (ND) tied Silvia Fuentes / Sara Culbertson (UM) 3-3
— ND —