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Gophers Upset No. 42 Nebraska on Senior Day Sendoff
4/19/2026 4:27:00 PM | Tennis
MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Minnesota tennis team upset No. 42 Nebraska, 4-2, on Sunday at the Baseline Tennis Center to close the regular season with an 11-16 record.
Key Moments
Minnesota secured the doubles point against Nebraska, winning two of three matches in doubles play. Nebraska struck first at the No. 1 position, where Sofia Pinto and Jeselle Ante fell 6-3 to No. 39 Katie Spencer and Conley Raidt. The Gophers responded at No. 3, as Nora Knezevic and Mia Liepert earned a 6-4 victory over Emma Rizzetto and Yuzu Miyoshi. Minnesota clinched the point at No. 2 doubles, with Arina Valitova and Anlin Xie securing a 7-6 (7-4) tiebreak win over Reya Lee Coe and Natalia Trigosso.
The Golden Gophers claimed the match with three singles victories over Nebraska. Sofia Pinto put the Gophers on the board with a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 4, followed by Arina Valitova's 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 6 to build early momentum. Nebraska responded with straight-set wins at Nos. 1 and 2, as Jeselle Ante fell 6-2, 6-4 to Katie Spencer and Mia Liepert dropped a 7-5, 6-3 decision to Conley Raidt. Aiva Schmitz clinched the match for Minnesota at No. 3, rallying for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 win over Emma Rizzetto.
Quote from Coach Arterberry
"First, I want to say a huge thank you to the fans and everyone who has supported Gopher women's tennis throughout the 2025-26 season," head coach Lois Arterberry said. "We truly appreciate everyone who comes out and supports us in any way they can. A big shoutout to the seniors today. All three seniors stepped up in singles and clinched the match for us. It was a tremendous effort from the entire team. Winning the doubles point was also crucial, and we were able to do that today, which set us up for success in the match. I want to thank all of the seniors for the time and effort they've given to the University of Minnesota, and I wish Aiva, Sofia, Anali, Yinong, and Arina the best of luck in the future."
Results
Doubles
1. Sofia Pinto/Jeselle Ante (MINN) lost to No. 39 Katie Spencer/Conley Raidt (NEB) 3-6.
2. Arina Valitova/Anlin Xie (MINN) def. Reya Lee Coe/Natalia Trigosso (NEB) 7-6 (7-4).
3. Nora Knezevic/Mia Liepert (MINN) def. Emma Rizzetto/Yuzu Miyoshi (NEB) 6-4.
Singles
1. Jeselle Ante (MINN) lost to Katie Spencer (NEB) 2-6, 4-6.
2. Mia Liepert (MINN) lost to Conley Raidt (NEB) 5-7, 3-6.
3. Aiva Schmitz (MINN) def. Emma Rizzetto (NEB) 5-7, 6-4, 6-1.
4. Sofia Pinto (MINN) def. Catherine Gagnon (NEB) 6-1, 6-4.
5. Anlin Xie (MINN) vs. Tiziana Rossini (NEB) 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, unfinished.
6. Arina Valitova (MINN) def. Yuzu Miyoshi (NEB) 6-4, 6-4.
Order of Finish
Doubles: (1, 3, 2)
Singles: (4, 6, 1, 2, 3)
Notables
Next Up
The Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament is scheduled for April 23–26, with the top 12 teams in the conference qualifying. Minnesota is currently ranked 18th in the standings.
Key Moments
Minnesota secured the doubles point against Nebraska, winning two of three matches in doubles play. Nebraska struck first at the No. 1 position, where Sofia Pinto and Jeselle Ante fell 6-3 to No. 39 Katie Spencer and Conley Raidt. The Gophers responded at No. 3, as Nora Knezevic and Mia Liepert earned a 6-4 victory over Emma Rizzetto and Yuzu Miyoshi. Minnesota clinched the point at No. 2 doubles, with Arina Valitova and Anlin Xie securing a 7-6 (7-4) tiebreak win over Reya Lee Coe and Natalia Trigosso.
The Golden Gophers claimed the match with three singles victories over Nebraska. Sofia Pinto put the Gophers on the board with a 6-1, 6-4 win at No. 4, followed by Arina Valitova's 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 6 to build early momentum. Nebraska responded with straight-set wins at Nos. 1 and 2, as Jeselle Ante fell 6-2, 6-4 to Katie Spencer and Mia Liepert dropped a 7-5, 6-3 decision to Conley Raidt. Aiva Schmitz clinched the match for Minnesota at No. 3, rallying for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 win over Emma Rizzetto.
Quote from Coach Arterberry
"First, I want to say a huge thank you to the fans and everyone who has supported Gopher women's tennis throughout the 2025-26 season," head coach Lois Arterberry said. "We truly appreciate everyone who comes out and supports us in any way they can. A big shoutout to the seniors today. All three seniors stepped up in singles and clinched the match for us. It was a tremendous effort from the entire team. Winning the doubles point was also crucial, and we were able to do that today, which set us up for success in the match. I want to thank all of the seniors for the time and effort they've given to the University of Minnesota, and I wish Aiva, Sofia, Anali, Yinong, and Arina the best of luck in the future."
Results
Doubles
1. Sofia Pinto/Jeselle Ante (MINN) lost to No. 39 Katie Spencer/Conley Raidt (NEB) 3-6.
2. Arina Valitova/Anlin Xie (MINN) def. Reya Lee Coe/Natalia Trigosso (NEB) 7-6 (7-4).
3. Nora Knezevic/Mia Liepert (MINN) def. Emma Rizzetto/Yuzu Miyoshi (NEB) 6-4.
Singles
1. Jeselle Ante (MINN) lost to Katie Spencer (NEB) 2-6, 4-6.
2. Mia Liepert (MINN) lost to Conley Raidt (NEB) 5-7, 3-6.
3. Aiva Schmitz (MINN) def. Emma Rizzetto (NEB) 5-7, 6-4, 6-1.
4. Sofia Pinto (MINN) def. Catherine Gagnon (NEB) 6-1, 6-4.
5. Anlin Xie (MINN) vs. Tiziana Rossini (NEB) 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, unfinished.
6. Arina Valitova (MINN) def. Yuzu Miyoshi (NEB) 6-4, 6-4.
Order of Finish
Doubles: (1, 3, 2)
Singles: (4, 6, 1, 2, 3)
Notables
- Minnesota defeated Nebraska for the 17th time in series history, improving to 17-14 all-time against the Cornhuskers.
- The Gophers defeated Nebraska for the first time since April 20, 2019, marking their first win over the Cornhuskers under head coach Lois Arterberry.
- Seniors Sofia Pinto, Arina Valitova and Aiva Schmitz each won their singles matches on Senior Day, with Schmitz clinching the match for Minnesota.
- Minnesota is 11-2 this season when clinching the doubles point, accounting for all 11 of its wins.
- Pinto moved into ninth all-time in career singles wins at Minnesota (77), surpassing Alessandra Ferrazi.
Next Up
The Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament is scheduled for April 23–26, with the top 12 teams in the conference qualifying. Minnesota is currently ranked 18th in the standings.
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