Women's Tennis Singles Player of the Week
Lindsey Zieglar, Western Michigan
Sophomore, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Zieglar improved to 3-0 in singles play on the season as she defeated Valparaiso's Claire Czerwonka (6-4, 6-4) on Saturday as the Broncos defeated the Crusaders 7-0. Zieglar played at No. 1 for the second time this season, now with a 2-0 record at No. 1 and a 1-0 record at No. 2.
Women's Tennis Doubles Team of the Week
Luisa Pelayo, Eastern Michigan, R-Jr. Porto, Portugal
Grace Whitney, Eastern Michigan, R-Jr.,Imlay City, Mich.
The pairing of redshirt juniors Luisa Pelayo and Grace Whitney earned their first doubles wins as Eagles in consecutive matches, going 2-0 on the weekend from the No. 2 spot. Pelayo and Whitney beat the competition 6-2 at Dayton, Feb. 5, and then turned around and bested their opponents at Xavier, 6-4, Feb. 6. The dou's victories continue a streak for Eastern at the No. 2 spot, as they hold a 4-0 record in those matchups early in the 2021 spring season.
Other Nominees
Luisa Pelayo, Eastern Michigan
R-Jr. Porto, Portugal
Redshirt junior Luisa Pelayo continues to bring experience to Eastern in the No. 3 spot, ending the weekend 1-1, with a 4-1 overall record in singles play on the season. Pelayo started the weekend with a dominant performance against Dayton, Feb. 5, earning victory in straight sets, 6-1 and 6-1. The redshirt junior fought hard but was unable to secure the win and a point at Xavier, Feb. 6, falling 3-6, and 2-6 in straight sets to record her first loss of the season in singles play.
Sofia Zaprianov, Miami
Freshman, Concord, Calif.
Sofia Zaprianov went 2-0 on the week, capturing a win at No. 5 singles and a win at No. 3 doubles. After competing at No. 6 singles all year, the freshman moved up to No. 5, picking up a 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-1 win. Her and Lena Babunski won 7-5 in doubles as well.
Gabriella Akopyan, Buffalo
Senior, Yerevan, Armenia
Senior Gabriella Akopyan led the Bulls to a 6-1 win over St. Bonaventure on Saturday. Akopyan swept her opponent at third singles as Akopyan had a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Andrea Roque.
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Kristina Tiraspolsky, Western Michigan, Junior, Toronto, Ontario Femke Tjon-A-Joe, Western Michigan, Junior, Corpus Christi, Texas
The duo of Tiraspolsky and Tjon-A-Joe clinched the doubles point for the Broncos, defeating the duo of Olivia and Claire Czerwonka (6-3) at No. 1. Doubles was tied at 1-1 with the deciding match being won by WMU's pair.
Nikoleta Antoniou-Karademitrou, Buffalo, Junior, Volos, Greece
Gabriella Akopyan, Buffalo, Senior, Yerevan, Armenia
Junior Nikoleta Antoniou-Karademitrou and Gabriella Akopyan helped lead the Bulls to a 6-1 victory over St. Bonaventure as they won at first doubles helping the Bulls claim the doubles points. The UB duo defeated Anastasia Gubanova and Andrea Rocque from the Bonnies, 6-2.
