University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Nebraska
Minnesota Defeats Nebraska in Final Set
3/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Minneapolis, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers handed Nebraska their first Big Ten loss of dual season, defeating the Cornhuskers in a close 4-3 match.
"I am so proud of this group," Head coach Chuck Merzbacher said. "We didn't give up and kept fighting! Having our captain and only senior, Maja, playing for the clinching match was what we wanted! Nebraska is a very tough team and we took this match."
Doubles
Annemarie Emme and Camila Vargas Gomez fell at the No. 3 spot, 6-2 to Claire Refeis and Hayley Haakenstad. Immediately after Mehvish Safdar and Caitlyn Merzbacher were defeated at the No. 1 spot 6-1 to Mary Hanna and Paula Del Cueto, giving Nebraska the doubles point.
Caroline Ryba and Cammy Frei had their match go unfinished against Lisa Andersson and Vasanti Shinde as they were trailing 4-2.
Singles
At spot No. 1, Ryba took down Nebraska's Vasanti Shinde in two sets, 6-3, 6-0, securing Minnesota's first point of the match. Ryba is now 8-5 in dual matches this season.
Emme fell at spot No. 5, 6-4, 6-3 to Mary Hanna giving the Cornhuskers a 2-1 edge. The Nebraska lead disappeared after a victory at spot No. 2 from Tina Kreinis who defeated Claire Reifeis 6-4, 6-0.
Vargas Gomez came back from a one set deficit to overpower Andersson at spot No. 6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, gaining the lead for the Maroon and Gold. She is now 18-8 overall this season and 9-4 in dual matches
Barbara Mancera staged a comeback at spot No. 3 after losing the first set, but ultimately fell, 6-1, 5-7, 7-5 to Del Cueto.
The final match for the win featured Maja Vujic taking on Jeannie Lozowski in the No. 4 spot. Vujic took the first set 7-5 but then fell in the second 5-7. The senior captain clinched the Minnesota victory with a 6-4 win in the third set.
Up Next
Minnesota will finish out the weekend tomorrow at 11 a.m., taking on Iowa at Baseline Tennis Center. You can follow all of the action this year on the Minnesota Women's Tennis Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Minnesota 4, Nebraska 3
Singles Competition
1. Caroline Ryba (MINN) def. Vasanti Shinde (NEB) 6-3, 6-0
2. Tina Kreinis (MINN) def. Claire Reifeis (NEB) 6-4, 6-0
3. Paula Del Cueto Castillo (NEB) def. Barbara Mancera (MINN) 6-1, 5-7, 7-5
4. Maja Vujic (MINN) def. Jeannie Lozowski (NEB) 7-5, 5-7, 6-4
5. Mary Hanna (NEB) def. Annemarie Emme (MINN) 6-4, 6-3
6. Camila Vargas Gomez (MINN) def. Lisa Andersson (NEB) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
Doubles Competition
1. Mary Hanna/Paula Del Cueto Castillo (NEB) def. Mehvish Safdar/Caitlyn Merzbacher (MINN) 6-1
2. Caroline Ryba/Cammy Frei (MINN) vs. Lisa Andersson/Vasanti Shinde (NEB) 2-4 ret
3. Claire Reifeis/Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) def. Annemarie Emme/Camila Vargas Gomez (MINN) 6-2
Order of Finish: Doubles (3,1,2), Singles (1,5,2,6,3,4)
Players Mentioned
