NU Can't Hold Off No. 51 Illinois

Urbana, Ill. - The Nebraska women’s tennis team (12-11, 0-10 Big Ten) fell to 51st-ranked Illinois (13-9, 5-5 Big Ten) today in Urbana, Illinois. The Fighting Illini grabbed their sixth-straight win today as they overcame the Huskers, 6-1.

Doubles action began with Illini wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. Louise Kwong and Melissa Kopinski swept Izabella Zgierska and Mary Hanna, 8-0 while Madie Baillon and Grace Tapak nabbed an 8-3 win over Katerina Matysova and Mackenna Maddox.

Zgierska and Hanna moved to 14-6 on the season with a 4-6 Big Ten mark at the No. 1 spot. Maggy Lehmicke and Lisa Andersson teamed up at the No. 2  spot to earn a 5-6 lead over Illinois’ Alexis Casati and Jerricka Boone but did not finish after Illinois clinched the doubles point.

The Orange and Blue proceeded to earn five singles wins en route to the 6-1 victory. Spurti Shivalingaiah entered NU’s lineup at the No. 4 spot after resting nine matches due to a wrist injury. Shivalingaiah grabbed a win over Jerricka Boone after Boone forfeited the match, pushing Shivalingaiah to 12-2 on the season.

The Huskers will take on Big Ten opponent Northwestern tomorrow, Sunday, April 19th at 11 a.m. in Evanston, Ill. for the final match of the season. Results will be posted here on Huskers.com following the match.

Singles

1. Alexis Casati (ILL) def. Maggy Lehmicke (UN) 7-5, 6-3

2. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Izabella Zgierska (UN) 6-3, 6-4

3. Louise Kwong (ILL) def. Mary Hanna (UN) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)

4. Spurti Shivalingaiah (UN) def. Jerricka Boone (ILL), by forfeit

5. Madie Baillon (ILL) def. Katerina Matysova (UN) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2

6. Jade Hilton (ILL) def. Lisa Andersson (UN) 7-6 (7-2), 6-4

Doubles

1. Louise Kwong/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Mary Hanna/Izabella Zgierska (UN) 8-0

2. Alexis Casati/Jerricka Boone (ILL) vs. Lisa Andersson/Maggy Lehmicke (UN) 5-6, unfinished

3. Madie Baillon/Grace Tapak (ILL) def. Katerina Matysova/Mackenna Maddox (UN) 8-3