Nebraska Reaches Final Stretch of Regular Season

No. 34 Nebraska (17-4, 5-2 Big 12) vs. No. 25 Texas (12-6, 7-2 Big 12)
Date: Friday, April 15, 2011
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Venue: Nebraska Tennis Center or 17th & Vine St. Courts
Start time: 1 p.m.

No. 34 Nebraska (17-4, 5-2 Big 12) vs. No. 35 Texas A&M (11-6, 4-3 Big 12)
Date: Sunday, April 17, 2011
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Venue: Nebraska Tennis Center or 17th & Vine St. Courts
Start time: Noon

The Nebraska women's tennis team is reaching its final stretch of the regular season, with only four matches remaining before the Big 12 Championships. The No. 34 Huskers (17-4, 5-2 Big 12) are scheduled to face No. 25 Texas (12-6, 7-2 Big 12) on Friday before challenging No. 35 Texas A&M (11-6, 4-3 Big 12) on Sunday. Both matches will take place in Lincoln. NU is 0-16 all-time against the Longhorns and 4-12 all-time against the Aggies.

NU vs. Texas Dual Time Moved
Nebraska fans may note that the dual time for the NU vs. Texas match this Friday has been moved up. The dual will now begin at 1 p.m. instead of the previously listed start time of 4 p.m. The match will be held at the Nebraska Tennis Center unless weather permits the dual to be played outside. Check back at Huskers.com for the latest time and location information on both matches this weekend.

Nebraska Continues to Edge Up Rankings
Nebraska continues to slide back up the ITA Division I Women's Tennis Rankings, achieving a rank of No. 34 in the latest polls. The Huskers posted a 1-1 record last weekend, falling to No. 9 Baylor but topping No. 39 Texas Tech. This is the twelfth-straight week that the Huskers have appeared in the rankings.

The Huskers improved their standing among Big 12 teams this week, now resting at fourth among conference teams. The Big Red appears behind Baylor (No. 7), Oklahoma (No. 21) and Texas (No. 25).

Tracking the Rankings
Date                 Rank
Jan. 4               #34
Jan. 25             #34
Feb. 3               #33
Feb. 8               #32
Feb. 14             #31
Feb. 22             #26
March 1            #36
March 8            #32
March 15           #29
March 22           #41
March 29           #41
April 5               #38
April 12             #34

Geibert and Weinstein Reappear in Doubles Rankings
After falling out of the polls for several weeks, Madeleine Geibert and Stefanie Weinstein have re-entered the ITA Division I Women's Doubles Rankings at the No. 85 position for the week of April 12. Geibert and Weinstein are 15-4 this season at the No. 1 spot and have logged a 3-3 record against ranked opponents this season.

Geibert/Weinstein's Ranking
Date                 Rank
March 1            #76
March 15           #71
April 12             #85

Huskers Ranked Fourth in Big 12
Nebraska's rank in the Big 12 slipped slightly after their loss to Baylor last week. The Huskers are fourth in the conference this week, down one place from the third-place spot they occupied the week of April 5. Their conference record of 5-2 (.714) is behind those of Baylor (18-3, 7-1 Big 12), Texas (12-6 7-2 Big 12) and Oklahoma (14-5, 6-2 Big 12).

NU Chases School Records
The 2011 Nebraska women's tennis team is on the brink of capturing several school records in team wins, fewest team losses and season team winning percentage. The Huskers are only five victories away from tying last-season's school record mark of 22 wins, while their four losses are currently tied with the 2005 squad for fewest team losses. Nebraska's current winning percentage of .810 is on par to be one of the best in school history as well.

Scouting the Texas Longhorns
The No. 25 Texas Longhorns are currently second in the Big 12 and have enjoyed strong play in conference action this year. Texas has only dropped two conference matches, losing to Texas Tech and Baylor in consecutive matches in early April. UT bounced back from the losses by capturing two wins last weekend, including a key victory over then-No. 22 Oklahoma, 5-2.

Texas features several players in the latest national rankings, led by sophomore Aeriel Ellis. Ellis is No. 23 in the ITA Women's Singles Rankings and plays primarily at the No. 2 singles position. In addition, Amanda Craddock and Cierra Gaytan-Leach are No. 49 in the ITA Women's Doubles Rankings and compete at the No. 1 doubles position for UT.

The Longhorns are led by Head Coach Patty Fendick-McCain, who is in her sixth season at Texas.

Scouting the Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M finds itself ranked No. 35 in the nation and sixth in the Big 12 after dropping a close dual last week against then-No. 22 Oklahoma. The Aggies rebounded, knocking off Oklahoma State the next day, 5-2. Texas A&M's losses this season include decisions against Kansas State, Oklahoma and Texas.

The Aggies feature No. 27-ranked Nazari Urbina at the No. 1 singles position. Urbina is 11-5 in dual matches at the No. 1 spot and 23-8 overall this year. Urbina has partnered with Morgan Frank at the No. 2 doubles spot, where the duo has posted a record of 10-4 so far.

Texas A&M is coached by Bobby Kleinecke, who is in his 26th season with the Aggies.

Huskers Go 1-1 in Texas
The Nebraska women's tennis team fell to No. 9 Baylor, 7-0 on April 8 but came back to defeat No. 39 Texas Tech 4-3 on April 10.

The Huskers had a rough day against Baylor and were unable to win a match at any position. Jennifer Holmberg played the closest match of the day at the No. 6 singles position, where she was narrowly defeated by Baylor's Abby Stainback, 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4).

The Huskers came back and performed well in the clutch against the Red Raiders on April 10, as six of nine matches in the dual went to a tiebreaker or an extra game. Patricia Veresova, Stefanie Weinstein and Janine Weinreich captured wins at the No. 1, 3 and 4 positions for Nebraska, but Texas Tech's wins at the No. 2, 5 and 5 spots left the dual deadlocked. Neabraska secured the win in doubles play, where Madeleine Geibert and Stefanie Weinstein defeated Kelsy Garland and Samantha Adams, 8-6 in No. 1 doubles and Veresova and Weinreich clinched the victory with an 8-5 victory at the No. 2 spot.

Live Stats Available for Home Match
Live Stats will be available for both home matches this weekend. Visit Huskers.com to follow the action.