Huskers Crush Golden Gophers 6-1

Lincoln, Neb.,–The No. 40 Nebraska women’s tennis team improved to 8-3 after a dominant 6-1 victory over the Golden Gophers (3-7 Big Ten) on Friday night. The Huskers won the doubles point and five singles matches to claim its eighth win of the season. 

In doubles competition, the Huskers raced to victories at No. 1 and No. 2 to pick up the point. Kristina Novak and Maja Makoric defeated Rachel Hanford and Dalila Said, 6-3 at No. 1. At No. 2 Claire Reifeis and Isabel Adrover Gallego wrapped things up with a 6-2 win over Zeyneb Sarioglan and River Hart. 

At the conclusion of doubles play, Hayley Haakenstad and Chloe Kuckelman were tied 4-4 with Minnesota’s Juliet Zhang and Ekin Ercetin at No. 3. 

In singles play, Novak struck first for the Huskers as she easily defeated Rachel Hanford 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1. The Golden Gophers responded with a win at No. 2 when Ekin Ercetin topped Adrover Gallego 6-0, 6-4 to earn the Golden Gophers lone point of the match. 

The Huskers answered with four consecutive singles wins. Reifeis topped Lucia De Santa Ana 6-1, 7-6(1) at No. 3. Makoric earned a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Dalila Said to clinch the match win for the Huskers.

At No. 6, Haakenstad outlasted Juliet Zhang with a 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 win. The match concluded as Chloe Kuckelman beat Zeyneb Sarioglan 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 bringing the final score to 6-1. 

Up Next: Nebraska is set to host No. 49 Wisconsin at the Dillon Tennis Center this Sunday at 1 p.m. 

Results

Doubles 

1. Kristina Novak/Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Rachel Hanford/Dalila Said (MINN) 6-3

2. Claire Reifeis/Isabel Adrover Gallego (NEB) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan/River Hart (MINN) 6-2

3. Hayley Haakenstad/Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) vs. Juliet Zhang/Ekin Ercetin (MINN) 4-4, unfinished 

Singles 

1. Kristina Novak (NEB) def. Rachel Hanford (MINN) 6-1, 6-1

2. Ekin Ercetin (MINN) def. Isabel Adrover Gallego (NEB) 6-0, 6-4

3. Claire Reifeis (NEB) def. Lucia De Santa Ana (MINN) 6-1, 7-6(1)

4. Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Dalila Said (MINN) 6-1, 6-3

5. Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan (MINN) 6-3, 4-6, 10-5

6. Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) def. Juliet Zhang (MINN) 6-1, 1-6, 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (1,2,3,4,6,5)