Huskers Open Big 12 Play With Victory

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska women's tennis team wrapped up its six-match homestand to start the season on Sunday with a win over its first Big 12 opponent of the season, beating Missouri, 6-1, at the Nebraska Tennis Center. With the win, the Huskers improved to 5-1 on the year, while the Tigers fell to 1-2.

The Huskers started the day on a strong note, sweeping the doubles matches to win the point. The Huskers used a different doubles lineup than in their first five matches, utilizing junior Imke Reimers with freshman Diana Kuhl in the No.1 doubles position, and sophomore Maria Ring and freshman Wiveca Swarting at the No. 2 position.

"We came out on fire in the doubles," head coach Scott Jacobson said. "It really set the tone for our singles matches."

The Huskers kept rolling in the singles matches.

Reimers, ranked No. 30 in the nation, improved to 6-0 on the season in doubles matches, as she took care of Tiger senior Erika Josbena in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Reimers fell behind 1-4 in the second set, but battled back to take the next five games and win the match. She has won 12 out of her 13 sets this season.

Sophomore Ashley Finnegan, playing in the No. 6 singles position, improved to 5-1 on the year as she defeated freshman Erika McKenzie, 6-4, 6-1. Finnegan lost to McKenzie in a tournament during the 2006 fall season, but had no trouble in winning her match on Sunday.

"I attribute a huge part of my success to the coaching staff," Finnegan said. "Since I came to Nebraska, my game has improved tremendously. Today, all of my work with the coaches really paid off."

Freshman Wiveca Swarting also improved to 5-1 in singles matches this season as she beat Missouri sophomore Raquel Wagner, 6-2, 6-1.

Sunday's match may have been a little more important for the team, as it was their first against a Big 12 opponent. Jacobson was pleased with the way his team started off conference play.

"It's a great start," Jacobson said. "Imke (Reimers), our team captain, told our team that this match takes on a little greater importance than our non-conference matches do, and that it's kind of like a fresh start for our team."

After playing six matches in 19 days to start the season, the Huskers don't play again until they travel to Texas to take on the Texas Longhorns on Feb. 24, a 13-day layoff.

"I think having this break is good," Jacobson said. "Our kids have some bumps and bruises, so it's a good time to have a little break here. It will give us a chance to work on some things and hopefully heal up before we go down to Texas."

Nebraska's next home match will be on March 2, when it takes on Baylor, which is currently ranked No. 10 in the nation.

No. 63 Nebraska 6, Missouri 1 Doubles No. 1 Imke Reimers/Diana Kuhl (NU) def. Katelyn McKenzie/Raquel Wagner (MU), 8-3 No. 2 Maria Ring/Wiveca Swarting (NU) def. Erika Josbena/Amanda Pratzel (MU), 8-2
No. 3 Marianne Cicmanec/Ashley Finnegan (NU) def. Chrissy Svetlic/Kaitlin Dunham (MU), 8-4   Singles No. 1 Imke Reimers (NU) def. Erika Josbena (MU), 6-2, 6-4 No. 2 Diana Kuhl (NU) def. Amanda Pratzel (MU), 6-3, 6-3 No. 3 Wiveca Swarting (NU) def. Raquel Wagner (MU), 6-2, 6-1 No. 4 Maria Ring (NU) def. Chrissy Svetlic (MU), 1-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-7) No. 5 Kaitlin Dunham (MU) def. Marianne Cicmanec (NU), 6-3, 7-6 (3) No. 6 Ashley Finnegan (NU) def. Katelyn McKenzie (MU), 6-4, 6-1