Indiana women’s tennis lost its matches Saturday and Sunday against Northwestern and Illinois on the road. Indiana blew an early lead against Northwestern and struggled to find their footing in singles against Illinois, leading to a disappointing weekend all around.
Against Northwestern on Saturday, Indiana’s duo of junior Chase Boyer and senior Nicole Teodosescu got the Hoosiers out on the right foot with a 6-2 win in the doubles three match.
However, junior Elisabeth Dunac and freshman Ameia Sorey dropped the doubles two match 6-4, setting up for a pivotal match in doubles one.
Freshmen Hi’ilani Williams and Alessandra Teodosescu stayed in control and were able to help Indiana secure the overall doubles point with a 6-4 win in doubles one.
Heading into singles up 1-0, the Hoosiers were looking to keep the momentum. Alessandra Teodosescu did exactly that, winning the singles two match 6-3, 6-0. Williams dropped the singles five match 6-3, 6-1, bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of the Hoosiers.
Nicole Teodosescu dropped singles four 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) and Dunac dropped singles three 5-7, 6-2, 6-3, giving Northwestern a 3-2 edge. Heading into the sixth overall point, the Hoosiers needed an answer.
In singles six, sophomore Nicole Sifuentes was able to even the score for the Hoosiers, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4). The match was forced to a seventh point to decide the overall game.
In singles one, Sorey dropped a hard-fought game, losing 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (11-9) and clinching the match for Northwestern in the process.
Against Illinois on Sunday, Dunac and Sorey picked up a win in doubles two 7-5. Williams and Alessandra Teodosescu won the doubles one match 6-3 to clinch the opening point and give the Hoosiers an early advantage heading into singles.
Indiana would not pick up another point in the match, however. Sifuentes dropped singles six 6-0, 6-2, Sorey dropped singles one 6-3, 6-2, Nicole Teodosescu dropped singles four 6-4, 6-2, and Williams dropped singles five 6-2, 7-5, resulting in an Illinois 4-1 win and another defeat for Indiana on the weekend.
With the losses against Northwestern and Illinois, the Hoosiers now sit at an 11-6 overall record with a 1-4 record in Big Ten play.
Indiana returns home and continues Big Ten play against Iowa at 4 p.m. March 27 and Nebraska at noon March 29.
