Big Red Persevere, Defeat Denver 4-3

In its second road match of the weekend, the Nebraska women’s tennis team (5-1) battled to the end, defeating the Denver Pioneers (1-3) in Waco, Texas, on Saturday morning. The Big Red used four singles victories to win the neutral dual 4-3, getting back in the win column after dropping Friday’s dual against #25 Baylor.

The neutral match began action with doubles, up against two ranked Pioneers duos. On Court One, seniors Ana Zamburek and Lucy Loy battled, but fell 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, Reya Lee Coe and Maria Taranova notched three games, but lost 6-3, leaving the doubles point to Denver. Tiziana Rossini and Emma Rizzetto fought on Court Three, tied at 5-5 when their match was abandoned.

Down one after doubles, the Big Red took the singles courts. On Court One, Pioneer No. 93 Andrea Beltran claimed a close first set over Zamburek, and sealed the match 6-4, 6-2, snapping the senior’s win streak. Rizzetto faced Louise Wikander at No. 2 singles, but could not close, falling 6-3, 6-1.

On Court Three, Taranova got the Huskers on the board with a straight set win over Marley Lambert, 6-2, 6-4. At No. 6 singles, Loy notched another singles point for the Big Red, defeating Natalie Cinkova, 6-4, 6-4. Court Four had a tight match, between Coe and De Velasco, to either tie or decide the dual. Coe finished strong, taking down the Pioneer 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, to tie the team score at 3-3.

All tied up, the dual came down to Court Five. Rossini battled through a tight first set, coming out on top 7-6(2). The Husker dropped her second set, but dominated the third, to win the match and clinch the dual, 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-1.

The Big Red battled and secured the 4-3 win over Denver, improving to 5-1 on the season. Nebraska now leads the all-time series against Denver 4-0, and the Pioneers fall to 1-3 in their season.

UP NEXT
The Huskers return to the Dillon Tennis Center to host South Dakota on Saturday, Feb. 8 at noon CT. Parking and admission are free.

Nebraska 4, Denver 3
Doubles competition:
1. No. 47 Andrea Beltran/Marley Lambert (DU) def. Ana Zamburek/Lucy Loy 6-2
2. No. 110 Claudia Martinez De Velasco/Louise Wikiander (DU) def. Reya Lee Coe/Maria Taranova 6-3
3. Tiziana Rossini/Emma Rizzetto vs. Natalie Cinkova/Hana Becirovic Novak (DU) 5-5 UF

Singles competition:
1. No. 93 Andrea Burguete Beltran def. Ana Zamburek 6-4, 6-2
2. Louise Wikander def. Emma Rizzetto 6-3, 6-1
3. Maria Taranova def. Marley Lambert 6-2, 6-4
4. Reya Lee Coe def. Claudia Martinez De Velasco 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
5. Tiziana Rossini def. Hana Bečirovič Novak 7-6(2), 4-6, 6-1
6. Lucy Loy def. Natálie Cinkova 6-4, 6-4