Ann Arbor, Mich. - The Nebraska women’s tennis team (14-11) lost to #34 Northwestern (19-6) 4-3 in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon.
In a display of exceptional teamwork, the Court Two duo of Anfisa Danilchenko and Ana Zamburek triumphed over Neena Feldman and Syndey Pratt with a score of 6-3. On Court One, Raphaelle Lacasse and Maja Pietrowicz outplayed No. 59 Christina Hand and Justine Leong, securing the doubles point for Nebraska with a score of 7-5. On Court Three, Lucy Loy and Isabel Adrover Gallego battled, but dropped their match 6-4. With the Huskers claiming wins on two courts, they took the 1-0 advantage into singles.
For singles, on Court Six, Maria Taranova lost in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 to Brittany Lau. Soon after, Danilchenko lost to No. 116 Justine Leong 6-4, 6-0 on Court Two. Then Adrover Gallego battled, but lost to Christina Hand 7-5 7-6 (4), and the Huskers trailed 3-1 until Pietrowicz rallied and won 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 against Pratt at the No. 4 spot to close Nebraska’s gap to the Wildcats. Zamburek then evened the score at 3-3 as she won in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (4). With the match tied, it was down to Lacasse's match on Court One as it went on for over three tiebreakers, but she ultimately fell to Maria Shusharina 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10), and Northwestern won 4-3.
The Huskers will learn their NCAA Tournament fate on Monday, April 29, during the selection show at 5:30 p.m. (CT) on NCAA.com.
NEB 3, NU 4
Singles
No. 1 -- Maria Shusharina (NU) d. Raphaëlle Lacasse (Nebraska), 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10)
No. 2 -- Justine Leong (NU) d. Anfisa Danilchenko (Nebraska), 6-4, 6-0
No. 3 -- Christina Hand (NU) d. Isabel Adrover Gallego (Nebraska), 7-5, 7-6 (4)
No. 4 -- Maja Pietrowicz (Nebraska) d. Sydney Pratt (NU), 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
No. 5 -- Ana Zamburek (Nebraska) d. Kiley Rabjohns (NU), 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4
No. 6 -- Brittany Lau (NU) d. Maria Taranova (Nebraska), 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
No. 1 -- Raphaëlle Lacasse/Maja Pietrowicz (Nebraska) d. Christina Hand/Justine Leong (NU), 7-5
No. 2 -- Anfisa Danilchenko/Ana Zamburek (Nebraska) d. Neena Feldman/Sydney Pratt (NU), 6-3
No. 3 -- Maria Shusharina/Brittany Lau (NU) d. Isabel Adrover Gallego/Lucy Loy (Nebraska), 6-4
Order of Completion: Doubles 2-3-1; Singles 6-2-3-4-5-1