Huskers Improve to 17-3 with a Win over Illinois

Lincoln – The Nebraska women’s tennis team improved to 17-3 on the season and 4-2 in the Big Ten with a 4-2 victory over Illinois on Sunday.

The Big Red battled through a hard-fought match, that featured a Husker comeback on the doubles courts to earn a crucial team point. Illinois opened the match with a 6-2 victory from Jaclyn Switkes and Madie Baillon over Lisa Andersson and Vasanti Shinde at No. 2 doubles, but Nebraska fought back to claim matches at the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles spots to earn the point. 

Nebraska's Mary Hanna and Paula Del Cueto Castillo rocketed to a 6-3 victory against Louise Kwong and Ines Vias at No. 1 doubles, before Husker freshmen Claire Reifeis and Hayley Haakenstad clinched the doubles point for Nebraska with a 6-3 win over Alexis Casati and D. Pedraza Novak.

The Huskers entered singles play with a 1-0 lead, but Illinois rallied with back-to-back wins at No. 5 and No. 2 singles to take a 2-1 lead. But the Big Red produced another rally of their own.

Del Cueto Castillo pushed through a close second set to notch a 6-1, 7-6 win over Switkes at No. 4 and even the team score at 2-2.

Nebraska regained the lead for good at No. 1 singles, as Shinde worked her way through two tight sets with a 6-4, 7-6 triumph.

The Huskers needed one more win to clinch the match, as No. 3 and No. 6 singles featured the two Husker seniors. Hanna, slotted at the No.4 position, was up against Madie Baillon, while Andersson faced Grace Tapak at No. 6.

Both matches went to a decisive third set before Andersson clinched the match for the Huskers with a thrilling 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory.

Hanna's match was not completed after Andersson secured the team win for Nebraska, but Hanna's epic battle with Baillon ended at 4-6, 7-6, 6-6.

The Huskers will be back in action next weekend for their final home matches at the Dillon Tennis Center. Nebraska takes Big Ten rivals Penn State on April 7 at 5 p.m., before facing No. 2 Ohio State on April 9 at Noon. Sunday’s match against Ohio State will include Senior Day festivities and fans are encouraged to come and celebrate the two Nebraska seniors. Admission to both matches will be free.

Results

Doubles
1. Mary Hanna/P. Del Cueto Castillo (NEB) def. Louise Kwong/Ines Vias (ILL) 6-3
2. Jaclyn Switkes/Madie Baillon (ILL) def. Lisa Andersson/Vasanti Shinde (NEB) 6-2
3. Claire Reifeis/Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) def. Alexis Casati/D. Pedraza Novak (ILL) 6-3

Singles
1. Vasanti Shinde (NEB) def. Louise Kwong (ILL) 6-4, 7-6
2. Alexis Casati (ILL) def. Claire Reifeis (NEB) 6-1, 7-6
3. Mary Hanna (NEB) vs. Madie Baillon (ILL) 4-6, 7-6, 6-6, unfinished
4. P. Del Cueto Castillo (NEB) def. Jaclyn Switkes (ILL) 6-1, 7-6
5. D. Pedraza Novak (ILL) def. Jeannie Lozowski (NEB) 7-5, 6-3
6. Lisa Andersson (NEB) def. Grace Tapak (ILL) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2