FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 21, 2019) – A 4-3 decision finally went the Northern Arizona women's tennis team's way as the Lumberjacks claimed wins at the top four singles spots to best Idaho State on Thursday in the Aquatic and Tennis Complex. The 'Jacks picked up a critical win, snapping a four-match losing streak, and improved to 5-8 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
"We really needed this one at this point of the season," said head coach
Ewa Bogusz. "We showed how tough we are in singles after losing the doubles point. Everyone one through six fought through tough matches and we took care of business today."
Playing in their home facility for the first time in more than a month, the 'Jacks dug deep to bust the Bengals in their first of five consecutive matches in Flagstaff. NAU needed a rally after dropping a tightly-contested doubles point, and the Lumberjacks got just that with wins from junior
Chiara Tomasetti, sophomore
Ellie Millard, freshman
Adrianna Sosnowska and freshman
Emilie Haakansson at the No. 1 through 4 spots respectively.
Although NAU had already lost the doubles point, the Lumberjacks' momentum started with Millard and senior
Hanneke Lodewijks' win at No. 2 to close doubles play. The pair trailed Louise-Mare Botes and Alexandra Arkhipov, 5-3, but rallied to win in a tiebreak, 7-6(3).
"It helped a lot; it was a positive going into our team talk before singles," Millard said. "Hanneke and I were down, but we showed that you can pull it out at any point in the match."
It was a battle on all three courts in doubles, but Idaho State struck by taking two of the three matches. The Bengals held on for a 6-4 win at No. 3, although Haakansson and sophomore
Madi Moore nearly rallied from a 5-2 deficit. Idaho State clinched the point with a 7-5 victory at No. 1.
However, Millard and Lodewijks' doubles win provided NAU with a spark as the Lumberjacks jumped on the Bengals quickly in singles. NAU's top four players each won their respective first sets with ease, setting the tone for the Lumberjacks' eventual victory.
Sosnowska tied the score at 1-1 by easily dispatching Arkhipov, 6-0, 6-2, at No. 3 and Tomasetti followed with an equally impressive 6-1, 6-2 win over Hristina Cvetkovic at No. 1. After Idaho State's win at No. 5 singles evened the score at 2-2, Haakansson put away Melissa Coburn at No. 4, 6-1, 6-2.
Millard clinched the match at No. 2, but had to battle for it in the second set. After losing her second set lead briefly, Millard dominated the tiebreak to knock off Botes, 6-3, 7-6(1). With the match decided, Idaho State closed the day with a straight-set win at No. 6.
The Lumberjacks continue their homestand with a doubleheader next Saturday, March 30. NAU will host Portland State first at 10 a.m. before returning to the courts at the Aquatic and Tennis Complex against UTEP in the afternoon at 3 p.m.
Results:
Doubles:
