IOWA CITY, Iowa – Despite picking up a pair of wins against ranked opponents, the University of Iowa women’s tennis team lost on Sunday afternoon to the No. 8 ranked Northwestern Wildcats, 6-1.
“I’m disappointed. That is my first reaction, because it is always tough to be short. There are some key moments that we probably wish we had back,” said Iowa head coach Sasha Schmid. “We have a ton of respect for Northwestern. They are a very experienced, and very strong team. This is going to be a match that hurts for a little while, but hopefully it is going to be a match to learn a lot from.”
Northwestern took the doubles point winning at the number two and three spots. For the Wildcats, Christina Hand and Briana Crowley defeated senior Elise van Heuvelen and junior Samantha Gillas, 6-1. Clarissa Hand and Maria Shusharina beat seniors Danielle Bauers and Danielle Burich, 6-4. Freshman Alexa Noel and junior Samantha Mannix defeated the No. 57 ranked doubles team of Julie Byrne and Hannah McColgan, 6-2.
In singles Northwestern took five of the six matches, including a pair of three-set victories. For the Hawkeyes, Noel improved to 8-0 on the season with a 6-4, 6-7, 10-5 victory at the number one spot over No. 57 Byrne. On court two, Shusharina defeated van Huevelen, 6-0, 3-6, 6-1. Clarissa Hand defeated Mannix 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the number three position.
Junior Michelle Bacalla lost to Crowley, 7-6, 6-0 at the number four spot. Gillas was defeated in the number five position 6-4, 6-2 by Caroline Ponzo. Burich fell to Christina Hand 6-2, 6-2 at the number six spot.
Up Next
Iowa is on the road next week with two road matches. The Hawkeyes travel to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Wisconsin Badgers on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. The Hawkeyes face Minnesota in Minneapolis on Feb. 21 at 11 a.m.
#8 Northwestern 6, Iowa 1
Feb. 14, 2021 | 12 p.m. | Iowa City, Iowa | Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex
Singles
1. #97 Alexa Noel (UI) def. #57 Julie Byrne (NU): 6-4, 6-7, 10-5
2. Maria Shusharina (NU) def. Elise van Heuvelen (UI): 6-0, 3-6, 6-1
3. Clarissa Hand (NU) def. Samantha Mannix (NU): 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
4. Briana Crowley (NU) def. Michelle Bacalla (UI): 7-6, 6-0
5. Caroline Pozo (NU) def. Samantha Gillas (UI): 6-4, 6-2
6. Christina Hand (NU) def. Danielle Burich: 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. Noel/Mannix (UI) def. #47 Byrne/McColgan (NU): 6-2
2. Ch. Hand/Crowley (NU) def. Van Heuvelen/Gillas (UI): 6-1
3. Cl. Hand/Shusharina (NU) def. Burich/Bacalla (UI): 6-4
Match Notes:
Iowa: 1-3 (1-1)
Northwestern: 6-1 (2-0)
Order of finish:
Doubles; 2, 1, 3
Singles; 6, 4, 5, 2, 3, 1
