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Yep... Tough draw... Here's the bracket: http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/tennis-women/d1/2011 Michigan was seeded #1 in the Big Ten Tournament... but lost 4-3 to Northwestern in the Championship match... http://www.bigten.org/sports/w-tennis/big1...ennis-body.html Akron played in the Spartan Invitational earlier this year... did well as Zara won the Singles title and teamed up with Angelina to win the Doubles title... http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPS...TCLID=205001532 but Michigan is a different story. Michigan beat MSU 6-1 in the regular season. Here's another way to look at the difference in MSU and Michigan: http://www.bigten.org/sports/w-tennis/spec.../010611aaa.html http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/tennis-women/d1 Good Luck Girls...

Tribute to the Ladies Tennis Team – MAC Champions Miami (Ohio) has ruled Ladies Tennis for a few years now… and this is one of their beat teams to date… with 4 seniors… and a 1-2 duo in Dracheva and Danesis that is the best duo in MAC tennis. In 2011… Miami was poised to repeat as MAC Champions… This was a feat on par with what the basketball team was asked to do in the MAC Tournament… to win the MAC Tournament… and to do so by playing the #3, #2 and #1 seeds. Our normal Tennis lineup in on the left… but due to an apparent injury involving Angelina… she was asked to drop down to #4 and try to stay alive… and everyone was asked to beat the MAC Powerhouse… Miami… who had just defeated Akron for the regular season MAC Championship the previous weekend. Miami… apparently sensing an issue with Angelina… pulled off a switch too. They apparently felt that their #5 player could match Angelina… and moved their #4 player down to face Anya at #5. #1 - Zara...........Zara..........Miami #1 #2 – Angelina.......Angelika......Miami #2 #3 – Angelika.......Prang.........Miami #3 #4 – Prang..........Angelina......Miami #5 #5 – Anya...........Anya..........Miami #4 #6 – Natalia........Natalia.......Miami #5 The result of this lineup was that Angelika and Prang were at a disadvantage... being forced to play up one notch... Angelina was at a disadvantage as she was not her usual self... and Anya was at a disadvanatge as she would be facing the #4 Miami player... instead of the #5 lady who sho lost to the precious weekend. This is what happened... Zara – Zara does not look like a #1 Singles tennis player as she is not a tall, blonde Russian (Ruskaya). She’s a vertically challenged Armenian… and being vertically challenged… she doesn’t have the advantage of the angles that most of our ladies have when returning the ball over the net. She has to be much more accurate than most of our ladies… and she is that… accurate… with power and great mobility… she overpowers opponents. Miami tried matching both of their top players with Zara… in the regular season matchup… and in the Tournament… and Zara beat them both. The MAC simply doesn’t have a player who can match Zara… and she’s the 3-time reigning MAC Player of the Year. Angelina and Angelika – The twins… and twins are of course different people… and should never be described together… but I’m a twin… and I understand all of the twin stuff… and for this match… the twins both performed the same. Angelina… out #2 tennis player got beat by an Akron girl named Stephanie Danesis… in the regular season match against Miami a week ago. Stephanie apparently chose Miami as it was a better tennis school a few years ago. Right after that match… Angelina… apparently injured… was dropped to #3 singles and got beat against the #3 Ball State girl… and Angelina was the only one on the team to lose!!! In the real world… with a healthy Angelina… this would never happen. In the MAC Tournament… Angelina played #4 singles… in all 3 matches… and won the first two… but lost at #4 to Miami. Angelina’s move down to #4 singles meant a move up for two ladies… Angelika and Prang. Angelika had to play Stephanie Danesis… a Miami player who could beat any #1 player in the MAC… except Zara. Angelika played tough…. and gave Danesis all that she could handle… but fell short. These two ladies are amazing. Last year… Angelika and Angelina went to California for the holiday break… joined a California tennis tournament… won the doubles… and met each other for the singles Championship. They decided to be Co-Champs instead of playing the match. Prang is the 3rd twin… but somehow got separated at birth… and was raised in Thailand instead of Indonesia. Prang is what most people would consider… a bit… goofy… but not on the tennis court. Due to Angelina moving down to #4 singles… Prang… like Angelika… was asked to move up a position… and play Miami’s #3 player. Prang responded with the best performance on the team… taking Martzoff… a Miami senior who has made a living beating #3 players all year… in 3 sets. Way to go Prang! So this was the plan… we lost to Miami in the regular season… but for the Championshipo match… we asked Angelina to try and stay competitive at #4 singles… and we asked Angelika and Prang to move up a position… to play better Maimi players. Are you getting an understanding of what was being asked of the Ladies Tennis Team yet? This was a monumental effort… similar to the basketball team. Anya – A few years ago, Anya was a tennis player at West Virginia State (I never heard of it either)…where she played in a tournament at West Virginia… that involved Akron also. Anya won the tournament… beating our #1 Akron girl in the process… and we managed to persuade her to join our team as a sophomore. Maybe… Anya has lost some of the fire that she had as a sophomore… or maybe Miami just has a couple of tougher than usual #5 players… as Anya dropped both decisions to Miami… last week and last weekend. I think that Anya is better than most #5 layers in college tennis… and I think that before she starts a business career (she is one of two seniors)… she should consider trying tennis for a year… in Peterburg… without being a full-time college student!! She just might have what it takes in pro tennis. If that doesn’t work… come back as an assistant coach and get your MBA. Natalia – is another Ruskaya (a Russian female type)… and Anya brought her here from St Petersburg, Russia (we call our’s St Pete… they say Peterburg… but don’t ever argue with a Russian over the REAL St Petersburg). Natalia lost to Cara Wald in the first Miami match a week ago… and she was just asked to beat her this time. This was Natalia’s “coming of age” match… with the tournament on the line… and down one set… Natalia managed to reach inside and kick some Miami butt… winning the last two sets and giving us the match… and the MAC Championship. But… the tournament started with Doubles… not singles… and the difference between this match and the prior match with Miami was that we took the doubles point. The Miami super team of Danesis and Martzoff managed to kill Zara and Angelina again… just like the regular season match. They must eat more Wheaties in Miami. Up next for Akron… Prang and Angelika returned the favor… and beat Miami. Lastly… Anya and Jeramie Benjamin… both seniors… managed to shock the Miami duo of Dracheva (Miami’s #1 Singles player) and Wald. Jeramie has been playing #3 doubles all year… and occasionally plays singles. Congrats to the doubles teams for taking that first point! Miami looses 4 seniors this year… and the new POWEHOUSE in MAC Tennis is AKRON… returning our 1-4… and having Natalia as #5… so if you know any HS ladies who have the potential of a Danesis… convey that to her. Is anyone here connected to the tennis program... who can comment on what happened to Angelina? Will she be OK for the NCAA Tournament ?????

Natalia Wins... 3rd set 6-4... the Freshman comes through in a 3-set win. Akron wins match... 4-3 Akron wins MAC Championship... goes to NCAA Congratulations to the Ladies Tennis Team !!!!

Prang Wins !!!! Prang is the key to this match as she played up one notch... at #3 Sinlges... after playing #4 Singles ALL SEASON... and came through. Great job Prang !!!! Match tied at 3... Natialia is up in the 3rd set 5-3

There's hope... Natalia is ahead 5-2... Prang just broke Miami's serve again...

Angelina looses at #4 Singles... probably hobbled around in pain... tough loss for the team as Miami take a 3-2 lead in the Championship Match Miami needs 1 win to win the match... We need both Prang and Natalia to win their 3rd sets...

Zara wins at #1 Singles.... way to go Zara... tough match. Anya looses at #5 singles. Angelina is in touble... Prang is behind in the second set... Natalia... our Freshman... has just won the second set... SCORE - Miami 2 Akron 2

Not good... Angelika was outclassed by Danesis... and Angelina is loosing @ #4 singles... Angelika normally plays #3 Singles... but was forced top play #2 today... maybe due to an injury with Angelina. Angelika played a very Strong Miami #2 player who beat Angelina last week. Angelika played tough... even took the lead in the second set... but came up short. Danesis is from AKRON !!! Again... I assume that Angelina is loosing at #4 Sinlges due to an injury... but no media coverage confirmed this. Anya... played a very disappointing match at #5 singles...

Not Good... Miami took 4 first sets... including Angelina LOOSING at #4 Singles... Angelina is a great tennis player... our #2 singles player. This woud never happen if she was healthy. Very poor match coverage from Akron Media Relations for the Friday and Saturday matches... no mention of why Angelina was playing #4 Singles all Weeked.

The Lady Zips won the First Ever MAC Championship in Tennis this afternoon... Here's what happened a week ago: http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPS...TCLID=205141446 Miami (Ohio) 4, Akron 3 (THIS IS LAST WEEK'S REGULAR SEASON MATCH) Doubles 1. Megan Martzolf/Stephanie Danesis (Miami) def. Zara Harutyunyan/Angelina Jogasuria (Akron) 8-2 2. Angelika Jogasuria/Prang Pantusart (Akron) def. Riekie Honiball/Jessica Parr (Miami) 8-2 3. Cara Wald/Anastasia Dracheva (Miami) def. Anya Baronayte/Jeremie Benjamin (Akron) 8-2 Singles 1. Zara Harutyunyan (Akron) def. Stephanie Danesis (Miami) 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4 2. Anastasia Dracheva (Miami) def. Angelina Jogasuria (Akron) 6-4, 6-3 3. Angelika Jogasuria (Akron) def. Megan Martzolf (Miami) 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 4. Prang Pantusart (Akron) def. Riekie Honiball (Miami) 6-2, 7-5 5. Nimisha Mohan (Miami) def. Anya Baronayte (Akron) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 6. Cara Wald (Miami) def. Natalia Kuvakina (Akron) 6-4, 6-3 Order of finish: Doubles – 2, 1, 3 Singles – 2, 4, 6, 5, 1, 3 Team records: Akron – 16-4, 6-1 MAC Miami (Ohio) – 16-5, 7-0 MAC FAST GORWARD TO TODAY !!! Zara and Angelina get killed again... 8-3... but Angelika and Prang win 8-2... and Anya and Benjamim were up 6-3... then 6-5... and won 8-5... over Miami's #1 Deacheva and Wald... Akron takes the doubles POINT !!!!

What's the MODERATOR Doing... jerking off...? I have several scrren shots and commentary of the entire match that I sent from my phone... In SINGLES... it didn't look good early... ZARA was down in the first set... in fact...5 of 6 were Zips Ladies down...

Followed tennis while watching the Tribe kick butt again... Here's what happened the last time that Akron faced Miani in tennis... just a week ago... http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=47187&SPID=4336&DB_OEM_ID=10800&ATCLID=205141446 (LAST WEEK - REGULAR SEASON !!!!) Miami (Ohio) 4, Akron 3 Doubles 1. Megan Martzolf/Stephanie Danesis (Miami) def. Zara Harutyunyan/Angelina Jogasuria (Akron) 8-2 2. Angelika Jogasuria/Prang Pantusart (Akron) def. Riekie Honiball/Jessica Parr (Miami) 8-2 3. Cara Wald/Anastasia Dracheva (Miami) def. Anya Baronayte/Jeremie Benjamin (Akron) 8-2 Singles 1. Zara Harutyunyan (Akron) def. Stephanie Danesis (Miami) 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4 2. Anastasia Dracheva (Miami) def. Angelina Jogasuria (Akron) 6-4, 6-3 3. Angelika Jogasuria (Akron) def. Megan Martzolf (Miami) 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 4. Prang Pantusart (Akron) def. Riekie Honiball (Miami) 6-2, 7-5 5. Nimisha Mohan (Miami) def. Anya Baronayte (Akron) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 6. Cara Wald (Miami) def. Natalia Kuvakina (Akron) 6-4, 6-3 Order of finish: Doubles – 2, 1, 3 Singles – 2, 4, 6, 5, 1, 3 Team records: Akron – 16-4, 6-1 MAC Miami (Ohio) – 16-5, 7-0 MAC Miami has two great players at #1 and #2... Dracheva and Danesis... and a very solid team that has not lost a MAC Match in 2 years... Zara beat Danesis... but Dracheva beat Angelina... Also... our #1 singles... Zara and Angelina got blasted 8-2... Both Miami and Akron flew through the initial matches on Friday and Saturday to meet again for the MAC Championship. Miami won the regular season outright with that win over the Zips... BUT... Angelina was playing #4 Singles... presumably due to an injury (?????)... very poor coverege by Media Relations... no mention of why a #2 layer would play at #4... WHY... not relevant??? Fast Forward to this afternoon... Miami -vs Akron Miami's #1 Doubles BLASTED our #1 again... Zara and Angelina 8-3... but Angelika and Prang win 8-2... and Anya and Benjamim were up 6-3... then 6-5... and won 8-5... over Miami's #1 Deacheva and Wald... Amazlingly... Akron takes the Doubles point...

Wow.... You are the problem. "Real football" You make it seem to kids in the area that if they go to Akron they are a joke. Do you not see how dumb your concept is. You can't recruit the best talent if everyone that is in the ear of the best talent are constantly "Akron sucks, you don't want to go there" You are a front runner, I'm sure you watch the "best NFL team" and the "best baseball team" as well. You are an idiot. Front runner and idiot... huh? Are you illiterate... or just brainless... ? Learn how to read. Who said anything about rooting for first place teams? I root for my teams... schools where I spent much of my time... and got degress (OSU, Akron, Stanford)... but I refuse to root for a pathertic program as it's pointless. How many degrees do you have... genius? I'd guess NONE. Chances are that your house would fit in my garage.... and that you couldn't pay my property taxes with your income. With 1519 posts... you're just a flippin punk who likes to hear himself. There's no reason to live on a forum and post your opinion every 45 seconds. Study something worthwhile... maybe you can get in a graduate program some day. The more you comment here... the more illterate you sound. Give it up. Get a life... Find a girlfriend... Grow the hell up...

Can you guys read? Did I say that I was a soccer fan trying to convert football fans? I went to The Ohio State University first... and I will always be an Ohio State Football Fan. That's real football... and a real football program... where some of the best players in Ohio... and the rest of the country commit... very similar to Akron Soccer. This area has thousands of Akron Alumni who are also grads from other schools (I have 3 degrees... went to 3 schools). Ask around in the stands... or the bars... and you will find thousands of NCAA Football Fans who are looking for an excuse to pull for Akron (one of their Alma Maters). We outnumber this forum 1000 - 1. We just get tired of waiting... for decades... for a real Football Program to surface. If you look at the HS Football pool around here... you have to wonder how Akron cannot be dominating the MAC. Ohio state lands Beenie Wells in 2006... Akron's second best back (Carter) goes to Syracuse... and Akron gets... what the Big Ten... and what the rest of the MAC passes over. If U Akron could land some decent HS football players from the Akron-Canton area (e.g., 2nd team all conference) or lure outstanding players from smaller colleges (B-W, Mt Union, etc)... we would have the second best program in the state... and be on the same level as Cincy... and maybe Pitt. But... what we have is not a football program... it's a joke. If you do not think that Akron football is a joke... keep watching... like we do. It will never change. Even the MAC Championship Team was an average MAC team (7-6 maybe?) that managed a decent game in the MAC Championship (nice catch) after beating other avergae MAC East teams on tie-breakers. If you want to see REAL FOOTBALL... WATCH BIG TEN FOOTBALL. If you want to see a real program at Akron... watch Akron Soccer. Porter sure sure doesn't have any issues landing the very best players available... anywhere. He looses 3 guys to the pros... and gets three team USA players... all with International Soccer Experience (U-18, U-19, U-20)... plus a few other players from other countries. Hell... even the Ladies Tennis team is a good program... and they came from nowhere. [if you are a UA student... you should be hitting on them... instead of reading a forum.] How many HS All-Americans did the football team land? Kapish?

I wouldn't take this game for granted... as the Zips could easily loose to GW. The MAC's worst offense can't stay on the field for more than 3 plays... and that makes it tough an average (at best) MAC defense. Watch the Soccer Gametracker on your phone... http://www.sidearmstats.com/bgsu/msoc/ Starts at 1:00 PM It might be more exciting... and less depressing... than watching what's happening on the football field. The only bright spot will be Wagner's tackle numbers. Go Zips... Go Zips Soccer... (Godz Team)