Huskers Battle, Fall Short Against Illinois in Big Ten Opener

The Nebraska women’s tennis team fell to the Illinois Fighting Illini, 4-0, in a Friday evening dual in Lincoln. With the loss, the Huskers opened Big Ten play with a 0-1 record. 

The Big Red dropped three singles matches and two doubles matches, while claiming one doubles match on the day.

Doubles play began at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center with Conley Raidt and Emma Rizzetto teaming up on court one, Catherine Gagnon and Katie Spencer on court two and Reya Lee Coe and Yuzu Miyoshi on court three. Coe/Miyoshi opened out play with a 6-4 victory over Cooper/Schaefbauer, but nationally-ranked No. 84 Bucher/Xu evened it out, defeating Raidt/Rizzetto, 6-4. With the doubles point up for grabs, Madatali/Mester pulled away late to defeat Gagnon/Spencer, 7-6 [7-4], securing the doubles point for the Illini. 

Down 1-0 after doubles, NU headed into singles play. Tiziana Rossini was the first to finish, falling to Bucher, 6-4, 6-0 on court four. Illinois’ Mester then defeated Coe on court six by a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Down 3-0, the Huskers fought hard, but ultimately were bested by the Illini, 4-0, after a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, victory for No. 34 Schaefbauer on court one over Maria Taranova.  

UP NEXT

The Huskers will continue their homestand on Sunday, March 8, against Northwestern. The match against the Wildcats will begin at noon (CT) at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center. Parking and attendance are free for fans, and concessions will be available at the match.

Stay up to date with Nebraska Women’s Tennis by following social media channels (@HuskerWTennis) for spring updates and content.

Singles Competition
1. #34 McKenna Schaefbauer (ILL) def. Maria Taranova (NEB), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
2. Emma Rizzetto (NEB) vs. Kimiko Cooper (ILL), 6-7 [6-8], 6-4, 3-0 UF
3. Katie Spencer (NEB) vs. Ariel Madatali (ILL), 6-3, 2-6, 4-5 UF
4. Tess Bucher (ILL) def. Tiziana Rossini (NEB), 6-4, 6-0
5. Catherine Gagnon (NEB) vs. Alice Xu (ILL), 6-3, 4-6, 3-3 UF
6. Cara Mester (ILL) def. Reya Lee Coe (NEB), 6-3, 2-6, 6-2

Doubles Competition
1. #84 Bucher/Xu (ILL) def. Raidt/Rizzetto (NEB), 6-4 
2. Madatali/Mester (ILL) def. Gagnon/Spencer (NEB), 7-6 [7-4] 
3. Coe/Miyoshi (NEB) def. Cooper/Schaefbauer (ILL), 6-4