Huskers Set for Big Ten Tournament

The Nebraska women’s tennis team is set for the 2021 postseason as they travel to Madison, Wisc., for the Big Ten Tournament. The Huskers will face the winner of Maryland/Rutgers on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. 

 

All 14 teams will be competing in this year’s tournament. Live stats will be provided for Thursday’s match and the remainder of the tournament. 

 

Huskers Earn No. 5 Seed

Following a stellar conference performance during the regular season with an 11-5 record, the Huskers have secured the No. 5 seed in the tournament and a first-round bye. 11 conference wins marks a Nebraska women’s tennis record, topping the 2012-13 mark of 10 conference wins.  

 

The Huskers are competing in its first Big Ten Tournament since 2018. In 2019, NU barely missed the cut as the host school and in 2020 the season ended before conference play due to COVID-19.

 

The Matchup 

Nebraska’s opponent will be determined Wednesday afternoon following a match between Rutgers and Maryland. Rutgers has won both matches over Maryland this season. On April 2, the Scarlet Knights swept the Terrapins 4-0 and on April 17, Rutgers outlasted Maryland 4-3. 

 

Scouting Rutgers

Rutgers recorded a program high four conference wins during the regular season. The Scarlet Knights defeated Maryland twice, Michigan State, and Indiana. They finished the season 4-12 overall.

 

Rutgers freshman Chloe Brown picked up a team-high five singles wins this season playing out of the No. 3, 4, and 5 spots in the lineup. 

 

Nebraska defeated Rutgers 5-2 on April 11th. The Huskers lead the all-time series 4-1.

 

Scouting Maryland

Maryland is 1-15 overall and 1-14 in conference play with its lone win coming against Indiana. The Terrapins are led by sophomore Ayana Akli who is currently ranked No. 38 in the ITA singles rankings. Akli is 13-3 on the season playing out of the No. 1 spot and coming off a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win over Rutgers’ Tess Fisher. 

 

On April 9th, NU topped Maryland 5-2 in College Park. The all-time series between the Huskers and Terrapins is 2-2. 

 

Up Next

If the Huskers win Thursday evening, they will meet the No. 4 seed Iowa for the third time this season. The Hawkeyes have won both meetings in 2021.