Huskers Fall Short to No. 8 Northwestern, 4-3

Lincoln, Neb.--The Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-1) fell just short at home to the No. 8 Northwestern Wildcats (5-1). After dropping the doubles point, the Huskers rallied in singles matches but would be unable to earn the match win.

Doubles
Northwestern earned the doubles points after picking up wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Kristina Novak and Hayley Haakenstad fell to No. 47 Julie Byrne and Hannah McColgan at No. 1, 6-1. The Huskers earned a victory at No. 2. with Isabel Adrover Gallego and Claire Reifeis topping the duo of Christina Hand and Briana Crowley, 6-3. With the deciding match on court 3, Chloe Kuckelman and Vivien Sandberg were unable to overcome Clarissa Hand and Maria Shusharina, falling 6-3. 

Singles 
In singles play, Haakenstad dropped her match at No. 6 to Hannah McColgan, 6-2, 6-0, to put the Wildcats up 2-0 in the match. The Huskers responded with a win from Maja Makoric at the No. 4 spot. The Freshman improved to 4-0 on the season following tonight's 6-3, 6-3 win over Northwestern's Briana Crowley.

Reifeis dropped a hard fought match to No. 57 Julie Byrne on court 2 to give Northwestern a 3-1 advantage. Nebraska answered yet again with a win at No. 1 from Kristina Novak. Novak topped Maria Shusharina in a three-sets, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to bring the match score to 3-2.

It all came down to Isabel Adrover Gallego and Chloe Kuckelman at No. 3 and No. 5, respectively. Chloe rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Caroline Pozo, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

With the match tied at 3-3, Adrover Gallego was edged by Clarissa Hand in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to give Northwestern the 4-3 victory. 

Up Next
The Huskers are back in action Sunday morning at 11 a.m., welcoming Illinois to the Dillon Tennis Center.

Results

Doubles
1. No. 47 Julie Byrne/Hannah McColgan (NWU) def. Kristina Novak/Hayley Haakenstad (NEB), 6-1
2. Isabel Adrover Gallego/Claire Reifeis (NEB) def. Christina Hand/Briana Crowley (NWU), 6-3
3. Clarissa Hand/Maria Shusharina (NWU) Chloe Kuckelman/Vivien Sandberg (NEB), 6-3

Singles
1. Kristina Novak (NEB) def. Maria Shusharina (NWU), 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
2. Julie Byrne (NWU) def. Claire Reifeis (NEB), 6-2, 6-4
3. Clarissa Hand (NWU) def. Isabel Adrover Gallego (NEB), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3
4. Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Briana Crowley (NWU), 6-3, 6-3
5. Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) Caroline Pozo (NWU), 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
6. Hannah McColgan (NWU) def. Hayley Haakenstad (NEB), 6-2, 6-0

Notes
Nebraska: 0-1
Northwestern: 5-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,4,2,1,5,3)