Huskers Pummel Panthers, 4-0

Lincoln, Neb.,--The Nebraska women's tennis team defeated the Florida International Panthers 4-0 Friday evening at the Dillon Tennis Center. The Huskers improve to 2-0 on the season, and Florida International falls to 1-1. 

Doubles
NU saw three new looks on the doubles court in Friday's win over the Panthers. At No.1, Claire Reifeis and Kristina Novak dominated Kamila Umarova and Basak Akbas of FIU, 6-1. In 2019, Umarova and Akbas earned a season-high ITA ranking of #64 while going 8-2 overall on the season. Tonight's win marks Reifeis and Novak's first win as a doubles team.

Twins Chloe and Ellie Kuckelman teamed up for the first time since their second-place finish at the Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament in October to defeat Bozinovicand Miletic of FIU at the No. 3 spot. 

At No. 2, Hayley Haakenstad and Isabel Adrover Gallego linked up to defeat Alcaide and Vielma, 6-2.

Singles
With a 1-0 advantage in the match, NU continued their dominance in the singles game. Chloe Kuckelman started things off for the Huskers at the No. 4 spot, racing to a 6-2, 6-1 win over FIU's Miletic. C. Kuckelman improves 2-0 in singles on the season. 

In her 2020 singles debut, Novak battled at the No. 2 spot for the Big Red. The freshman from Radovlijica, Slovenia, took control of the match over Sandra Bozinovic 6-4, 6-4, to put Nebraska up 3-0.

Ellie Kuckelman closed out the match for Nebraska on court 6. The freshman improves to 2-0 in singles play after defeating Ashley Vielma 6-3, 6-3.

With a 4-0 advantage, the match concluded with Reifeis, Adrover Gallego, and Haakenstad competing in tight matches at No. 1, 3, and 5, respectively. 

Up Next:
Nebraska is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Dillon Tennis Center. The Huskers are set to take on the Air Force Falcons at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Creighton Bluejays at 2:30 p.m.

Results

Singles:
1. Claire Reifeis (NEB) vs. Kamila Umarova (FIU) 7-5, 1-6, unfinished
2. Kristina Novak (NEB) def. Sandra Bozinovic(FIU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Isabel Adrover Gallego(NEB) vs. Mariana Alcaide (FIU) 7-5, 3-2, unfinished 
4. Chloe Kuckelman(NEB) def. Kristina Miletic(FIU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) vs. Basak Akbas(FIU) 6-1, 1-6, unfinished
6. Ellie Kuckelman(NEB) def. Ashley Vielma(FIU) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles:
1. Claire Reifeis/Kristina Novak (NEB) def. KamilaUmarova/BasakAkbas(FIU) 6-1
2. Isabel Adrover Gallego/Hayley Haakenstad(NEB) def. Mariana Alcaide/Ashley Vielma (FIU) 6-2
3. Chloe Kuckelman/Ellie Kuckelman(NEB) def. Sandra Bozinovic/Kristina Miletic(FIU) 6-2

Order of Finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,2,6)