Husker Women Beat SMS in Season Opener

Springfield, Mo. -- The No. 66 Nebraska women's tennis team opened its season with a 9-0 shutout of Southwest Missouri State this morning in Springfield, Mo. The Huskers dropped just two sets in sweeping the Bears.

In singles, No. 1 junior Sandra Noetzel, ranked 57th nationally, was taken to three sets by Sandy Salado, but prevailed, winning the match 5-7, 6-2, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, freshman Katarina Balan made an impressive debut beating Amy Newman, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. Sophomore Ndali Ijomah breezed through her first match of the year, defeating Diana Stojcevski 6-1, 6-3, at No. 3 singles. The dominance continued at No. 4 singles with junior Gina Pelazini shutting out Asa Duneborn 6-0, 6-0. Freshman Amy Frisch also made an impressive debut Saturday, winning her match over Daniela Bohuslav 6-1, 7-5, at fifth singles. At No. 6, sophmore Danica Hardy closed out singles, beating Sara Anciaux 6-2, 6-0.

In doubles, the No. 1 team of Noetzel and Ijomah defeated Salado and Newman 8-4. At No. 2, Balan and Hardy teamed up to defeat Duneborn and Anciaux, 8-4, and at No. 3 doubles, Pelazini and Frisch beat Stojcevski and Bohuslav 8-6.

With the win, Nebraska improves to 1-0, while Southwest Missouri State falls to 1-2 on the year with the loss.

The Huskers return to action next Saturday, Feb. 6, when they travel to Iowa City, Iowa to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at 10 a.m.

Nebraska (1-0) .........................9
Southwest Missouri State (1-2) 0

1. Sandra Noetzel (NU) def. Sandy Salado (SMSU)	5-7, 6-2, 6-0
2 .Katarina Balan (NU) def. Amy Newman (SMSU)	6-7, 6-4, 6-4
3 .Ndali Ijomah (NU) def. Diana Stojcevski (SMSU)	6-1, 6-3
4. Gina Pelazini (NU) def. Asa Duneborn (SMSU)	6-0, 6-0
5. Amy Frisch (NU) def. Daniela Bohuslav (SMSU)	6-1, 7-5
6. Danica Hardy (NU) def. Sara Anciaux (SMSU)	6-2, 6-0
Doubles
1. Noetzel/Ijomah (NU) def. Salado/Newman (SMSU)	8-4
2. Balan/Hardy (NU) def. Duneborn/Anciaux (SMSU)	8-4
3. Pelazini/Frisch (NU) def. Stojcevski/Bohuslav (SMSU)	8-6