By Cecelia Chase / The Jambar
The Youngstown State University women’s tennis team served up a strong weekend at the Viking Invitational in Cleveland on Oct. 10-12. Junior Hanna Telzynska led the way, taking home the Singles Championship at Cleveland State University’s Medical Mutual Tennis Pavilion.
Telzynska battled through three tough matches to finish the weekend undefeated. She opened play with a three-set win over Ball State University freshman Priyanka Rana in 5-7, 6-4 and 11-9, before overcoming Duquesne’s junior Mila Badics, 0-6, 6-2 and 10-7. In her final match, Telzynska secured the title with a 6-3 and 6-2 victory against Cleveland State senior Ella Franz.
Fellow sophomore Sarah Partida Garcia also posted a perfect 3-0 record in singles play. Garcia earned straight set wins over Duquesne University senior Taisia Yakunina and Ball State freshman Anya Tkachyk, then sealed her unbeaten run with a 7-5, 5-7 and 10-4 victory against Cleveland State freshman Leah Geisz.
In total, the Penguins collected 11 singles wins across the three-day event. Junior Yeseniia Ovcharova and freshman Diane Piranda picked up two victories, adding to YSU’s overall success. Ovcharova earned straight-set wins against Duquesne and Cleveland State, while Piranda handled both opponents in straight sets, including a 6-2 and 7-5 win against CSU freshman Marta Rodriguez.
Youngstown State also found success on the doubles side, earning five wins against Cleveland State, Duquesne and Ball State. The pairing of Dudova and Prianda downed CSU freshman Laura Tapia and sophomore Jenna Redmile, 6-2, while Foster and Cedeno edged out Geisz and freshman Anna Macino, 7-5. Garcia and Cedeno picked up a win for Youngstown State against Duquesne, 6-0.
Telzynska and Ovcharova teamed up in doubles competition, but fell 6-4 to Franz and sophomore Melliz Petkova Mustafa.
Next up, the Penguins will compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Regionals on Oct. 16-17 in Champaign, Illinois.