Huskers Fall to Kansas State, 5-4

Lincoln -- The No. 53 Nebraska women's tennis team fell to 14-8 on the season with a tough 5-4 loss to Kansas State Saturday morning afternoon at the Cather-Pound Tennis Courts. With the win, the Wildcats improve to 10-10 overall and are 6-5 in the Big 12.

After falling behind 4-2 after singles play, the Huskers won at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles to tie the score up. Senior Jennifer Thoste and sophomore Sandra Noetzel won 8-6 at No. 1 doubles, while senior Lisa Hart and freshman Ndali Ijomah posted an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles. At No. 3 doubles, the Wildcat duo of Dinah Watson and Anna Pampoulova scored an 8-6 win over Gina Pelazini and Kelli Clark to clinch the match.

The Huskers won both of the top two singles matches, as Sandra Noetzel won 7-5, 6-3 at No. 1 singles over No. 44 Yana Dorodnova and senior Lisa Hart picking up a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles over Anna Pampoilova. Noetzel, who improved to 15-7 on the spring, handed Dorodnova just her fifth loss of the spring. The deciding singles match was Eva Novotna's 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5 tiebreaker) victory over Ndali Ijomah at No. 4 singles.

"We had our chances, especially in Ndali's match." Head Coach Scott Jacobson said. "I was really pleased with Sandra's straight set win over a good player such as Dorodnova. She played like she was on a mission and wanted to make up for her loss at Colorado last weekend."

Jacobson also had praise for Hart, who improved to a team-best 16-6 record.

"I thought Lisa played exceptional tennis in the final two sets," Jacobson. "It was good to see go out and play so well in her final regular-season home match."

The Huskers return to action this Thursday, April 23, for the first round of the Big 12 Tennis tournament. The Huskers will play at Woods Tennis Center either at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

 

No. 67 Kansas State (10-10 overall, 6-5 Big 12)

5

No. 53 Nebraska (14-8 overall, 4-7 Big 12)

4

 

Singles

1. Sandra Noetzel (N) def. Yana Dorodnova (KSU)

7-5, 6-3

2. Lisa Hart (N) def. Anna Pampoulova (KSU)

3-6, 6-1, 6-0

3. Martina Pospisolova (KSU) def. Jennifer Thoste (N)

6-3, 6-4

4. Eva Novotna' (KSU) def. Ndali Ijomah (N)

1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5)

5. Lena Piliptchak (KSU) def. Gina Pelazini (N)

6-3, 6-1

6. Dinah Watson (KSU) def. Adriana Dulic (N)

6-3, 7-5

Doubles

1. Noetzel/Thoste (N) def. DorodnovaPiliptchak (KSU)

8-6

2. Hart/Ijomah (N) def. Novotna'/Pospisolova (KSU)

8-5

3. Pampoulova/Watson (KSU) def. Pelazini/Kelli Clark (NU)

8-6