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Lincoln--The No. 66 Nebraska women's tennis team moved to 2-1 on the season with a hard fought 5-4 victory in it's home opener over Drake Friday night at the Woods Tennis Center.
In singles, Drake and Nebraska split their matches, 3-3. For Nebraska, junior Sandra Noetzel, ranked 57th nationally, was taken to three sets by Cecily Dubusker in No. 1 singles play, but prevailed, winning the match 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. At No. 2, freshman Katarina Balan moved to 2-1 on the year with a win over Sarah Blain 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. Ndali Ijomah also improved to 2-1 on the year, defeating Melissa Emmons 6-3, 6-3, at No. 3 singles.
In doubles, NU won two of the three matches, as junior Gina Pelazini and freshman Amy Frisch improved to 2-1 on the season with an 8-5 victroy over Emmons and Daria Kotchoubinskaya. At No. 3 doubles, Balan and sophomore Danica Hardy defeated Blain and Emma Edvardsson, 8-3.
Nebraska Coach Scott Jacobson was pleased to come away with the win.
"I am really happy that our team was able to win a close one like that," Jacobson said. "Last year we lost quite a few 5-4 matches and a lot of our players from last year remember that, so this should really boost our confidence."
"I am proud of the way we fought in doubles today," Jacobson said. "I thought all three doubles teams really battled and competed well for us."
The Huskers return to action on Sunday, February 14, when the Huskers play host to Wyoming at the WoodsTennis Center beginning at 9 a.m.
Nebraska (2-1).....5
Drake (0-2)............4
Singles
1. Sandra Noetzel (NU) def. Cecily Dubusker (Drake)........6-4, 2-6, 6-3
2. Katarina Balan (NU) def. Sarah Blain (Drake)..................6-4, 3-6, 6-1
3. Ndali Ijomah (NU) def. Melissa Emmons (Drake)..........6-3, 6-3
4. Rajasree Kuruvilla (Drake) def. Gina Pelazini (NU)........6-3, 1-6, 6-1
5. Emma Edvardsson (Drake) def. Danica Hardy (NU)......6-4, 7-5
6. Daria Kotchoubinskaya (Drake) def. Amy Frisch (NU)....6-1, 7-5
Doubles
1. Dubusker/Kuruvilla (Drake) def. Noetzel/Ijomah (NU)....................8-6
2. Frisch/Pelazini (NU) def. Emmons/Kotchoubinskaya (Drake)......8-5
3. Balan/Hardy (NU) def. Blain/Edvardsson (Drake)...........................8-3