Huskers Defeat the Nittany Lions

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska women's tennis team (8-5, 1-0 Big Ten) defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions (6-7, 0-1 Big Ten) 5-2 Friday morning at the Dillon Tennis Center. 

The Huskers secured the point in doubles competition, with the No. 1 team of Kristina Novak and Maja Makoric defeating the Nittanny Lions' Karly Friedland and Gabby O'Gorman, 7-5. In the No. 3 spot, Ellie Kuckelman and Samantha Alicea defeated Deanna Lasorda and Alexandra Nielsen, 6-1. The No. 2 team of Isabel Adrover Gallego and Chloe Kuckelman fell short to Penn State's Olivia Ryan and Yvonne Zuffova, 4-6
 
To start singles playing in the No. 1 spot returning after a week off, Novak defeated Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) 6-0, 4-6, 6-2. Adrover Gallego fought hard in a three-set match-up against Penn State's Yvonne Zuffova, but fell, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6. Ellie defeated Alina Lebedeva in the No. 5 spot, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5. Chloen competed in the No. 3 spot against the Lions' O'Gorman, but fell 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. Sophomore Samantha Alicea competed at the No. 6 spot winning in a two-set sweep, 6-3, 6-2. Finishing up singles play was Makoric at the No. 4 spot where she battled to the end and won, 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-1).

Up next, the Huskers will stay home and face No. 4 Ohio State on Sunday, March 20 at 10 a.m. CT

Nebraska 5, Penn State 2

Singles competition
1. Kristina Novak (NEB) def. Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) 6-0, 4-6, 6-2
2. Yvonne Zuffova (PSU) def. Isabel A. Gallego (NEB) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
3. Gabby O'Gorman (PSU) def. Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
4. Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Karly Friedland (PSU) 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-1)
5. Ellie Kuckelman (NEB) def. Alina Lebedeva (PSU) 6-0, 4-6, 7-5
6. Samantha Alicea (NEB) def. Deanna Lasorda (PSU) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Kristina Novak/Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Karly Friedland/Gabby O'Gorman (PSU) 7-5
2. Olivia Ryan/Yvonne Zuffova (PSU) def. Chloe Kuckelman/Isabel A. Gallego (NEB) 6-4
3. Ellie Kuckelman/Samantha Alicea (NEB) def. Deanna Lasorda/Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) 6-1

Match Notes:
Penn State 6-8, 0-2 Big Ten; National ranking
#70 Nebraska 8-5, 1-0 Big Ten; National ranking #55
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,2,1,5,3,4)