LINCOLN, Neb. – The 46th ranked Shockers defeated Nebraska by a score of 4-1 at the University of Nebraska Vine Street Varsity Courts in Lincoln. Saturday's win pushed the Shockers to 10-5 and was just the second win against Nebraska since 2007. Nebraska dropped to 8-6 on the year.
Doubles play began with Wichita State's Rebecca Pedrazzi/Montse Blasco Fernandez (No. 9 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Central Doubles Rankings) winning 8-3 over Izabella Zgierska/Maike Zeppernic of Nebraska at the No. 2 doubles slot. Veronika Blaskova/Lucia Kovalova gave the Shockers the 1-0 dual-match lead and the doubles point when they defeated Maggy Lehmicke/Mary Hanna 8-2 at No. 1 doubles.
At No. 3 singles, Abby Stevens won 6-0, 6-4 against Lisa Andersson to give the Shockers a 2-0 dual-match lead. Lehmicke gave the Huskers their only point of the day when she beat Pedrazzi 6-2, 1-6, 6-0 to cut the Shocker lead in half at No. 1 singles. Kovalova earned a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Zgierska at No. 2 singles to push No. 46 Wichita State to a 3-1 dual-match lead.
Blasco Fernandez closed the dual-match when she won 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 singles against Hanna that gave the Shockers their 4-1 dual-match win. Head coach Colin Foster was pleased with the way his team performed on Saturday.
“We played well in our first outdoor match,” Foster said. “Stevens and Kovalova have come up short on some close matches as of late, so for them to come through today was great. Blasco Fernandez continues to play with such poise and self-belief.
“Blaskova and Mahajaroenkul's matches weren't completed but both seniors were playing well and we know we'll need both of them down the stretch. Everyone should be proud of how they played but more importantly, how they competed. It was a complete team win.”
The Shockers' next match takes place on Friday, March 21 against St. John's in Queens, N.Y. at 10:30 a.m.
-WICHITA STATE-
Tennis Match Results
Wichita State vs Nebraska
Mar 15, 2014 at Lincoln, Neb.
(NU Vine Street Varsity Courts)
#46 Wichita State 4, Nebraska 1
Singles Competition
1. Maggy Lehmicke (WTNEB14) def. Rebecca Pedrazzi (14WTWSU) 6-2, 1-6, 6-0
2. Lucia Kovalova (14WTWSU) def. Izabella Zgierska (WTNEB14) 6-3, 7-6(5)
3. Abby Stevens (14WTWSU) def. Lisa Andersson (WTNEB14) 6-0, 6-4
4. M. Blasco Fernandez (14WTWSU) def. Mary Hanna (WTNEB14) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
5. Maike Zeppernick (WTNEB14) vs. Veronika Blaskova (14WTWSU) 7-6(3), 4-6, unfinished
6. Hannah Sulz (WTNEB14) vs. S. Mahajaroenkul (14WTWSU) 2-6, 5-4, unfinished
Doubles Competition
1. Veronika Blaskova/Lucia Kovalova (14WTWSU) def. Maggy Lehmicke/Mary Hanna (WTNEB14) 8-2
2. Rebecca Pedrazzi/M. Blasco Fernandez (14WTWSU) def. Izabella Zgierska/Maike Zeppernick (WTNEB14) 8-3
3. Lisa Andersson/Hannah Sulz (WTNEB14) vs. Julia Schiller/Abby Stevens (14WTWSU) 4-6, unfinished
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (3,1,2, 4)
