Huskers Set to Begin Toughest Non-Conference Weekend with Iowa

The No. 74 Nebraska women’s tennis team opens the toughest weekend of non-conference play of the season when it welcomes two ranked opponents to the Woods Tennis Center. NU's non-conference home winning streak of 58 will be tested when the Huskers face No. 44 Iowa on Feb. 4 and No. 68 Washington State on Feb. 6.

Nebraska, with a 4-0 record, is off to a fast start this season. The Huskers have dominated their first four matches, outscoring their opponents' team score, 27-1.

NU enters the match with a four-match winning streak and many individual awards. Senior Gitte Ostermann, ranked No. 19 nationally, has earned the No. 1 singles ITA Central Regional ranking. Junior Ewelina Skaza also received a singles ranking of No. 25 in the central region. In doubles, senior captain Katie Garcia and junior Pamela Castillejos were ranked No. 8 in the central region and Ostermann and freshman Imke Reimers received a No. 11 regional ranking.

The Hawkeyes mark the fourth of six straight home matches against non-conference opponents for NU. Nebraska extended it non-conference home winning streak to 58 with its 4-0 start this season. The Huskers' last loss at home to a non-conference team came at the hands of Iowa during the 1997-98 season.

The Huskers have received a boost from their solid doubles play. Nebraska has yet to drop a set in doubles play, outscoring its previous four opponents, 96-23. NU is led by Garcia and Ostermann at the No. 1 doubles slot, while the newcomers have been key contributors in the No. 2 slot. The No. 2 slot, is completely composed of newcomers Reimers and Skaza, while the No. 3 slot features juniors Milena Schulz-Gartner and Castillejos.

A Look at the Hawkeyes

Head Coach Daryl Greenan of Iowa is entering his first year as head coach of the No. 44 Hawkeyes. Coming off of a 14-9 season in 2004, which included a seven-match winning streak and an appearance in the NCAA regionals, Iowa returns four players from last year's squad, all sophomores. The Hawkeyes added three freshmen.

Iowa enters Lincoln with a 3-1 record, with victories over Iowa State, Drake and Northern Illinois. Its only loss came at the hands of then-No. 45 Denver.

Matchup Watch

Iowa has received many individual regional rankings to go along with its No. 44 national ranking. Sophomore Meg Racette is ranked No. 103 nationally and No. 13 in the ITA Midwest Regional rankings, while sophomore Hillary Mintz is ranked No. 14 in the region for singles play and freshman Milica Veselinovic is ranked No. 17 regionally. In doubles, Mintz and Racette were ranked No. 55 nationally and No. 6 regionally.

With three regionally ranked singles players, Racette, Mintz and Veselinovic, NU's singles play will be tested. Nebraska brings Ostermann, ranked No. 19 nationally, and Skaza, ranked No. 25 regionally, to the court.

In doubles, Mintz and Racette are ranked No. 55 nationally and upset Denver's duo of Yanick Dullens and Suzana Maksovic, who are ranked No. 30 nationally. NU has yet to drop a doubles set at any of the three doubles slots. Friday's doubles play will definitely be something to keep an eye on.

Huskers-Hawkeyes History

This is the 18th meeting between Nebraska and Iowa. The Hawkeyes lead the series with 13 victories. In their last meeting, five years ago, No. 66 Nebraska travelled to Iowa for its second match of the season. Iowa defeated NU, 9-0.

In 1998, Iowa made the trip to Lincoln to take on No. 67 Nebraska. The Huskers were led by sophomore Sandra Noetzel and senior Lisa Hart. Noetzel defeated Iowa's Emily Bampton in a three-set thriller, 7-3, 7-6, 7-4. Noetzal would go on to have a record-setting season, posting an all-time Husker best 30 wins. By the time her career was over, Noetzel would become the Huskers' all-time career leader for singles wins with 101, and doubles wins with 71. Hart, ranked No. 3 on the Huskers' all-time career singles wins with 74, fell to Natalya Dawaf, 6-2, 6-3.

The 1998 home match against the Hawkeyes is the last loss the Huskers have suffered to a non-conference foe in Lincoln.