NU Begins Final Weekend of January with Cowgirls

NU Begins Final Weekend of January with Cowgirls

The No. 71 Nebraska women’s tennis team looks to close out January on a strong note when it faces the Wyoming Cowgirls on Jan. 28 in a 5 p.m. match at the Woods Tennis Center. NU enters the match with the ITA No. 1 Central Regional Ranking for singles play, and a two-match winning streak.

The Huskers shot quickly out of the gates in 2005 with two dominating victories over in-state foe Creighton and Colorado State. The Big Red outscored its opponenents' team scores, 13-1, last weekend.

Wyoming marks the third of six straight matches against non-conference opponents for NU. Nebraska extended it non-conference home winning streak to 56 with its victories last weekend. The Huskers' last loss at home to a non-conference team came at the hands of Iowa during the 1997-98 season.

In doubles play, the Huskers have yet to drop a match. Seniors Katie Garcia, a three-time captain, and Gitte Ostermann, ranked No. 19 nationally in singles play, have posted a 2-0 record at the No.1 doubles slot. Freshman Imke Reimers and junior Ewelina Skaza have mirrored that success at the No. 2 slot.

Head Coach Pam Wildt of Wyoming is entering her sixth year as head coach of the Cowgirls. Wildt brings a young lineup to Lincoln for Wyoming's season opener. UW does not have a senior on this year's squad. Coming off of a 10-12 season in 2004, which included a five-match winning streak, the Cowgirls return five players this season, including two juniors and two sophomores. Following the Wyoming match, NU will take on Southwest Missouri State on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m.

Huskers' Newcomers Shine in Home Opening Weekend

Nebraska signed three newcomers who saw their first spring season action during the team's home opening weekend. The two freshmen and junior showed they will make an immediate impact in a talented lineup. Freshman Imke Reimers competed at the No. 2 singles slot in both matches last weekend, finishing with a 1-1 record. Junior Ewlina Skaza, who is ranked No. 25 in the ITA Central Regional rankings, went 2-0 at the No.4 slot. Skaza has yet to drop a set and has outscored her opponents, 24-5. Freshman Ellinor Zugner defeated CU's Shannon Whelan on Jan 20, 6-3, 6-0 at the No. 6 slot to record her first victory as a Husker.

On the doubles court, Reimers and Skaza proved they could play together when they outscored their opponenets, 16-3, at the No.2 doubles slot. Zugner teamed with junior Pamela Castillejos to defeat Jennifer Burge and Whelan of Creighton, 8-2 at the No. 3 doubles slot.

Ostermann Healthy Again

NU also enjoys the success of a healthy Ostermann. Ostermann is healthy at the beginning of the season for the first time since the beginning of her freshman year. Ostermann is ranked No.1 in the ITA Central Regional rankings for singles play. She showed her experience and composure when she dug herself out of a 5-2 hole in the first set of the season to defeat CU's Katie Chiu, 7-5, 6-4.

Huskers-Cowgirls History

This is the fourth meeting between Nebraska and Wyoming. The Huskers have won the three previous matches with the Cowgirls. Last year, No. 70 Nebraska faced the Cowgirls with a four-match winning streak on the line.

The Huskers defeated UW, 7-0. NU established its dominance with its singles play. The Big Red did not surreneder a singles match and benefited from solid performances from junior captain Katie Garcia and sophomore Jennifer Cremieux. Garcia defeated Amy Senko, 6-1, 6-2, while Cremieux rolled over Andrea House, 6-0, 6-2. The Huskers extended their home non-conference wining streak to 51 with the victory.