University of Missouri
Nebraska
Tigers Drop Heartbreaker, 4-3
4/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
April 17, 2009
Columbia, Mo. – The 71st-ranked Missouri Tigers (7-11, 3-7 Big 12) hosted No. 73 Nebraska (13-6, 5-4 Big 12) on Friday (April 17). Prior to Friday's match Nebraska sat fifth in the Big 12 standings while Mizzou, just one win behind them, sat ninth. Mizzou started the match off in strong fashion dominating the doubles point. The singles competition was tight and came down to the No. 6 match in which Nebraska won in three sets to take the victory. Play began at 5:00 p.m. and was held inside the Green Tennis Center.
Mallory Weber and Jamie Mera led the Tigers in doubles competition playing in the No. 1 position. Weber's superior service
game was too much for the Huskers and Mizzou's top duo earned their 14th win since pairing up with each other in the fall. Sofia Ayala and Danielle Day sealed the doubles point for MU with a win over Wiveca Swarting and Maria Ring, 8-2. The win marked their seventh of the spring season, a team-high.
In singles action Weber continued her dominant play as she earned her fourth conference win of the season with a 6-1, 7-6 (3) win over Jana Albers of Nebraska. Ritchie also racked up a win for the Tigers in two sets with a victory over Jennifer Holmberg, 6-4, 6-4.
The team score was tied at three and came down to the No. 6 match between Ayala and Husker Stephanie Evans. Ayala shut out Evans in the first set 6-0, but Evans forced a third set with a tight 7-6 victory in the second. Though Ayala was up 4-3 in the tie-breaking set, Evans came from behind to earn a 6-4 victory and the final team point, giving Nebraska their fifth win in conference play.
“First off, congratulations to Nebraska. Tonight was really tough and right now I just really feel for our girls,” said coach Blake Starkey. “We've literally done everything but close out the fourth point. It is impossible for us to be any closer than we are. For us to take that next step we need to learn how to shake off the nerves and finish off matches. And that absolutely will happen.”
Missouri will be back in action on Sunday (April) 19 against the Iowa State Cyclones. Play begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Green Tennis Center, indoors or outdoors, according to the weather. The Tigers will look to earn their fourth Big 12 victory to put them in eighth place going into the Big 12 Championships next weekend.
Final Team Score: Nebraska 4, Missouri 3
Complete Doubles Results
No. 1 Mallory Weber and Jamie Mera (MIZ) def. Jana Albers and Madeleine Geibert (NU) 8-2
No. 2 Jennifer Holmberg and Mary Weatherholt (NU) def. Jessica Giuggioli and Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) 8-3
No. 3 Sofia Ayala and Danielle Day (MIZ) def. Wiveca Swarting and Maria Ring (NU) 8-2
Complete Singles Results
No. 1 Mary Weatherholt (NU) def. Jessica Giuggioli (MIZ) 6-4, 6-3
No. 2 Madeleine Geibert (NU) def. Jamie Mera (MIZ) 7-6 (5), 6-1
No. 3 Mallory Weber (MIZ) def. Jana Albers (NU) 6-1, 7-6 (3)
No. 4 Wiveca Swarting (NU) def. Danielle Day (MIZ) 6-1, 7-5
No. 5 Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) def. Jennifer Holmberg (NU) 6-4, 6-4
No. 6 Stephanie Evans (NU) def. Sofia Ayala (MIZ) 0-6, 7-6, 6-4
Players Mentioned
