University of Illinois
Nebraska
Illini Drop Close Battle with Nebraska
February 14, 2021 | Women's Tennis
RECAP
LINCOLN, Neb. – The University of Illinois women's tennis team fell to Nebraska on Sunday afternoon by a score of 5-2. The loss brings the Illini to 0-2 (0-2) and puts the Cornhuskers at 1-1 (1-1).
The day started with Nebraska taking the doubles point, despite a strong performance from sophomore Ashley Yeah and freshman Kate Duong securing a 6-3 win on court three. Seniors Emilee Duong and Sasha Belaya fell on court one (0-6) while senior Asuka Kawai and sophomore Josie Frazier took a loss on court two (6-2).
Moving into singles, Illinois started hot grabbing wins on court five from Kate Duong (6-0, 6-2) and court two from Kawai (6-3, 6-2). The 2-1 lead did not last long, as the Cornhuskers strung together wins on courts one, four, three and six to take the 5-2 victory.
Up Next
Illinois has six days off before traveling to Evanston, Ill., to take on No. 8 Northwestern next Sunday, February 21. Play will begin at 3:00 PM CT.
Nebraska 5, Illinois 2
Singles competition (Order of Finish: 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6)
1. Kristina Novak (NEB) def. Emilee Duong (ILL) 6-2, 6-4
2. #107 Asuka Kawai (ILL) def. Claire Reifeis (NEB) 6-3, 6-2
3. Isa Adrover Gallego (NEB) def. Sasha Belaya (ILL) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
4. Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Ashley Yeah (ILL) 6-1, 7-6 (7-2)
5. Kate Duong (ILL) def. Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) 6-0, 6-1
6. Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-2, 6-7 (8-10), 6-3
Doubles competition (Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3)
1. Kristina Novak/Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) def. Emilee Duong/Sasha Belaya (ILL) 6-0
2. Isa Adrover Gallego/Claire Reifeis (NEB) def. Asuka Kawai/Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-2
3. Ashley Yeah/Kate Duong (ILL) def. Chloe Kuckelman/Vivien Sandberg (NEB) 6-3
Follow the Illini
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Women's Tennis. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for even more coverage.
