Washington grinds out a tough win over Nebraska

Here's an article I wrote for the UW Daily

Photos by Paige Bajsarowicz, Carlos Salinas

The No. 18 Washington women’s tennis team had high expectations for the rest of the season after a fiery 10-2 start to its first Big Ten slate.

“Being in a new conference, our goals are to win the first ever Big Ten title,” head coach Robin Stephenson said “Our goals are to get the team better and more cohesive every single game”

However, the Huskies (17-3, 10-2 Big Ten) had unfinished business to deal with first. An eight game win streak against tough Big Ten opponents went to the wayside after they couldn’t stop Michigan in Ann Arbor, losing 4-1.

But on Friday afternoon, Washington came ready to return to their winning ways against Nebraska, grinding out a 4-3 victory over the Cornhuskers (12-11, 2-10 Big Ten).

Washington dropped the first doubles match on court No. 1, with junior Reece Carter and sophomore Alexia Jacobs falling to Nebraska seniors Ana Zamburek and Lucy Loy, 2-6.

On the third court, the Washington duo of senior McKenna Koenig and freshman Carina Syntvelt were able to gut out a 6-4 win versus sophomore Yuzu Miyoshi and freshman Natalia Trigosso.

With the doubles score tied at one, all eyes moved to the second court, where Washington senior Sophie Luescher and Junior Erika Matsuda were in a tight battle with Nebraska sophomores Tiziana Rizzetto and Reya Lee Coe. Things were getting intense, as the score eventually was knotted at six games apiece.

Unfortunately, Luescher and Matsuda ran out of gas, losing 7-6 and giving the doubles point to Nebraska. UW entered singles play in a 1-0 hole.

“When it came to how we played in doubles, I felt that we were too tight and nervous,” Stephenson said. “We need to get back to being loose and have fun out there.”

The Huskies were determined to turn their performance around in singles. Yet, the Cornhuskers wouldn’t give in.

McKenna Koenig and Carina Syltvelt picked up sweeps for the Huskies. Ana Zamburek and Lucy Loy did the same for Nebraska. After 4 singles matches, Nebraska was up, 3-2.

The Huskies had to win the last 2 singles matches to defend home turf.

Only Matsuda on the second court and Jacobs on the third remained. After both won the first set 6-2, neither could close it out in the second, sending the deciding matches to tie breaking third sets.

Jacobs held strong, whizzing past sophomore Tiziana Rossini 6-2 to get the victory.

With the score tied at 3-3, The Huskies' fate was tied to Matsuda.

With a 5-3 lead in the third set, Matsuda grinded out one-last rally, forcing a miss from sophomore Emma Rizeetto, giving Washington the 4-3 win.

On a day full of tough battles and early deficits, UW was able to rise to the occasion.

“When it came to singles, our team was able to play more loosely and freely.” Stephenson said. “We were having more fun out there.”

The Huskies return to the court on Sunday, April 20 against Iowa at 3 p.m. in Seattle. The senior day celebration is the final tuneup before Big Ten Championship play.

Reach reporter Adam Amster at sports@dailyuw.com. X: @Adam_Amster

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