NU Battles, Earns 4-3 Victory Over Missouri

Lincoln, Neb. – After three consecutive 7-0 shutout wins, the Missouri Tigers weren’t able to outscore the Nebraska women's tennis team in Sunday’s dual at the Nebraska Tennis Center. The Huskers contended to a 4-3 win over the Tigers, keeping NU undefeated (6-0) for the season.

The Missouri Tigers gained an early lead as Beatriz Santos and Brittany Lashway defeated Mackenna Maddox and Katerina Matysova, 8-3, at the No. 3 spot while Maggy Lehmicke and Lisa Andersson came up short against Kelli Hine and Madison Rhyner at the No. 2 spot, 8-2.

Senior Izabella Zgierska and sophomore Mary Hanna competed at the No. 1 spot against Cassidy Spearman and Brianna Lashway but did not finish after Missouri had claimed the doubles point.

Singles action began with a strong win from Lehmicke at the No. 1 spot as she outscored Missouri’s Kelli Hine, 6-4, 6-2, ending Hine’s seven-match win streak. Hanna claimed another NU point as she grabbed a 6-4, 6-2 win over Santos, giving Santos her first loss in six matches.

At the No. 4 singles spot, redshirt freshman Shivalingaiah continued her hot streak with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Rhyner, earning her an unbeaten 6-0 record in singles play for the 2015 season.

Suffering her first loss of the season, Zgierska fought head-to-head with Missouri’s Spearman through a three-set battle ending in a Tiger victory, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. As the lone senior, Zgierska serves as a steady force at the No. 2 spot, contributing a 5-1 singles record for the season, fueling the Huskers to their 6-0 season record.

Katerina Matysova also recorded her first loss of the season as Missouri’s Brianna Lashway notched a win with a pair of 6-4 sets.

Tied at three with Missouri, the Huskers looked to sophomore Lisa Andersson as she faced Clare Raley at the No. 6 singles spot. Andersson came in clutch as she earned a 6-3, 6-1 win over Raley to give NU the final point to win the match.

The Huskers will continue their season-opening home stand next weekend as they take on the Wyoming Cowgirls Friday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. at the Lincoln Racquet Club before facing Illinois State on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Nebraska Tennis Center. Results can be found following each match here on Huskers.com.

Singles Results

1. Maggy Lehmicke def. Kelli Hine 6-4, 6-2

2. Cassidy Spearman def. Izabella Zgierska 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

3. Mary Hanna def. Beatriz Santos 6-4, 6-2

4. Spurti Shivalingaiah def. Madison Rhyner 6-2, 6-3

5. Brianna Lashway def. Katerina Matysova 6-4, 6-4

6. Lisa Andersson def. Clare Raley 6-3, 6-1

Doubles Results

1. Izabella Zgierska/Mary Hanna vs. Spearman/Brianna Lashway – unfinished

2. Kelli Hine/Madison Rhyner def. Maggy Lehmicke/Lisa Andersson, 8-2

3. Beatriz Santos/Brittany Lashway def. Katerina Matysova/Mackenna Maddox 8-3