Nebraska Scores Upset Over No. 14 Northwestern

Evanston, Ill. - The No. 25 Nebraska women's tennis team scored an upset victory over No. 14 Northwestern on Sunday, defeating the Wildcats by a margin of 5-2 in Evanston. Nebraska's (16-2, 2-1 Big Ten) win over Northwestern (8-7, 2-1 Big Ten) came just one day after the Huskers dropped only their second match of the season in a road dual against Illinois.

The Big Red showed resilience against the Wildcats, coming from behind at multiple points in each match to knock off Northwestern in Nebraska's biggest upset win this season. The win marks the first time the Huskers have defeated the Wildcats; additionally, Nebraska handed Northwestern their first conference loss this season.

Northwestern jumped out to win the first mach in doubles play at the No. 3 position, but the Huskers would not relent. Mary Weatherholt and Patricia Veresova (NU) downed Belinda Niu and Kate Turvy (NW) at the No. 2 position by a score of 8-3 to draw even in doubles play. Nebraska then secured the doubles point courtesy of the 26th-ranked pair of Madeleine Geibert and Stefanie Weinstein (NU). The pair defeated Veronica Corning and Nida Hamilton (NW), 8-5 to give Nebraska 1-0 lead.

Northwestern quickly tied things up in singles play at 1-1, picking up a win at the No. 4 position. Nebraska battled back to take a 2-1 lead as Nebraska's 58th-ranked Weatherholt logged an upset victory over No.16 Turvy, 6-1, 6-2 in No. 1 singles. The win was Weatherholt's second over a ranked opponent this weekend in singles action.

The Wildcats wouldn't relent, pulling even at 2-2 with a win in No. 6 singles. It was their final victory of the day, as the Huskers unleashed three consecutive match wins to secure the dual victory for the Big Red.

The Huskers' Veresova was first to strike, downing 61st-ranked Brittany Wowchuk 7-6, 7-5 in No. 2 singles to increase Nebraska's lead to 3-2. No. 101 Janine Weinreich (NU) clinched match-winning fourth point for the Big Red, battling back to defeat Linda Abu Mushrefova (NW) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 at the No. 5 position. Nebraska's Weinstein sealed the victory for the Huskers with her 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 win over Northwestern's Niu in No. 3 singles.

Nebraska will continue conference play next weekend, welcoming Ohio State and Penn State to Lincoln. The Huskers will kick things off against the No. 66 Buckeyes on Friday, March 30 at 5 p.m. before concluding the weekend with a match against No. 46 Penn State on Sunday, April 1 at 10 a.m. Both matches will take place outdoors at the 17th and Vine St. Courts in Lincoln.   

No. 25 Nebraska - 5
No. 14 Northwestern - 2
Vandy Christie Tennis Center
Evanston, Ill.

Singles
1. No. 58 Mary Weatherholt (NU) def. No. 16 Kate Turvy (NW) 6-1, 6-2
2. Patricia Veresova (NU) def. No. 61 Brittany Wowchuk (NW) 7-6, 7-5
3. Stefanie Weinstein (NU) def. Belinda Niu (NW) 3-6, 6-2, 7-6
4. Veronica Corning (NW) def. Madeleine Geibert (NU) 6-4, 6-2
5. No. 101 Janine Weinreich (NU) def. Linda Abu Mushrefova (NW) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
6. Stacey Lee (NW) def. Jennifer Holmberg (NU) 6-1, 6-1

Order of finish 
(4, 1, 6, 2, 5, 3)

Doubles
1. No. 26 Madeleine Geibert/Stefanie Weinstein (NU) def. Veronica Corning/Nida Hamilton (NW) 8-5
2. Patricia Veresova/Mary Weatherholt (NU) def. Belinda Niu/Kate Turvy (NW) 8-3
3. Brittany Wowchuk/Linda Abu Mushrefova (NW) def. Jennifer Holmberg/Janine Weinreich (NU) 8-4

Order of finish
(3, 2, 1)