Women’s Tennis Pressures No. 7 UCLA in 4-0 NCAA Tournament Loss

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 4, 2019) – Senior Hanneke Lodewijks and sophomore Ellie Millard dominated their doubles match, proving the Northern Arizona women's tennis team was far from intimidated by their opponent, No. 7 UCLA. However, the 'Jacks dropped a closely contested doubles point and ultimately fell 4-0 to the Bruins on Saturday in their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 20 years.
 
"I'm very proud of their efforts today and they showed how close we are to competing against schools in the top 10," said head coach Ewa Bogusz. "They know how much work it's going to take, but they know how close they are. They believed from the beginning when they stepped onto the court and they left it all out there."
 
NAU closes the season with a 15-9 record while tying the school record with 11 consecutive victories – a streak that was snapped by UCLA at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. UCLA will face LSU – who defeated San Diego, 4-2, in Saturday's morning match – on Sunday in the second round matchup.
 
Despite featuring three nationally-ranked doubles pairs, the Bruins just squeaked out the initial 1-0 advantage in doubles play. After UCLA claimed the No. 3 doubles, 6-0, Lodewijks and Millard sent shockwaves with a commanding 6-1 win over Elysia Bolton and Jada Hart – ranked No. 11 nationally – at No. 2.
 
The win was Lodewijks and Millard's 29th as a tandem – and 11th in a row – giving the Lumberjack duo sole possession of second-place in the NAU all-time record book. In what would be their final match together, the pair recorded their second nationally-ranked win in two seasons.
 
"We've played well together all semester," Lodewijks said. "It was great to show that on the biggest stage and today we played unbelievably well."
 
With doubles play knotted up at one match apiece, the point came down to the No. 1 court where junior Chiara Tomasetti and freshman Adrianna Sosnowska staged a rally against UCLA's Gabby Andrews and Ayan Broomfield. The Bruins' fifth-ranked duo led 5-3, only to see the Lumberjacks' pair tie it at 5-5. UCLA eventually pulled out the 7-5 victory though, to head into singles with the 1-0 lead.
 
Tomasetti, Lodewijks and sophomore Madi Moore each opened up singles action with early leads, but UCLA claimed the first set on all six courts. Moore was the closest to taking her set, falling 7-5 to Andrews on court six.
 
The Bruins pulled ahead 2-0 with a 6-4, 6-1 victory courtesy of Alaina Miller over Sosnowska on court four. UCLA increased its advantage when No. 45 Jada Hart dealt Tomasetti just her second loss of the season, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 1. Broomfield clinched the match moments later at No. 3 by defeating Millard, 6-1, 6-3.
 
Despite the loss, NAU did not back down from UCLA – setting the stage for its defense of the Big Sky Championship next spring. The Lumberjacks will return five of their top six players, including four all-conference performers, in their lineup.
 
"It's a bittersweet day for us, but what a way for Hanneke to go out with the doubles win," Bogusz said. "We're certainly losing our best doubles player on the team. But with the five coming back next year and adding a strong freshman class, we're looking forward to bigger things."
 
"Everyone works so hard and bright things are ahead," added Lodewijks, who concluded her career with a school record 60 doubles victories. "I'm sure they'll be right back here (in the NCAA Tournament) next year."
 
Results:
Doubles:

1. No. 5 Gabby Andrews/Ayan Broomfield (UCLA) def. Adrianna Sosnowska/Chiara Tomasetti (NAU), 7-5*
2. Hanneke Lodewijks/Ellie Millard (NAU) def. No. 11 Elysia Bolton/Jada Hart (UCLA), 6-1
3. No. 82 Abi Altick/Taylor Johnson (UCLA) def. Emilie Haakansson/Madi Moore (NAU), 6-0

*Clinched Doubles Point | Order of Finish: (3, 2, 1)
 
Singles:

1. No. 45 Jada Hart (UCLA) def. Chiara Tomasetti (NAU), 6-3, 6-0
2. No. 32 Elysia Bolton (UCLA) vs. Hanneke Lodewijks (NAU), 6-3, 3-2 unfinished
3. Ayan Broomfield (UCLA) def. Ellie Millard (NAU), 6-1, 6-3**
4. Alaina Miller (UCLA) def. Adrianna Sosnowska (NAU), 6-4, 6-1
5. No. 120 Abi Altick (UCLA) vs. Emilie Haakansson (NAU), 6-2, 5-2 unfinished
6. Gabby Andrews (UCLA) vs. Madi Moore (NAU), 7-5, 3-0 unfinished

**Clinched Match | Order of Finish: (4, 1, 3)