LINCOLN, Neb. – Despite a strong showing in doubles, the Nittany Lions came up short on the road against #43 Nebraska. Penn State drops to 5-4 on the season.
Doubles
The Nittany Lions had one of their best doubles performances of the season, securing the point with wins at No. 1 and 2
Samantha Smith (Cary, N.C.) and Olivia Rohrbacher (Sandusky, Ohio) took down Isa Adrover Gallego and Claire Reifeis, winning 6-3.
Sofiya Chekhlystova (Talinn, Estonia) and Alexandra Nielsen (Talinn, Estonia) lost 4-6 as Nebraska's tandem of Hayley Haakenstad and Chloe Kuckelman remained undefeated.
The decision came down to Gabby O'Gorman (Gunnedah, N.S. Wales, Australia) and Karly Friedland (Hollywood, Fla.) as they pulled off an impressive 6-4 victory over Kristina Novak and Maja Makoric.
Singles
The Cornhuskers tied it up at 1-1 as Friedland was defeated by Reifeis 2-6, 1-6.
Neilsen lost to Kuckelman 6(1)-7, 1-6 as Nebraska grabbed the lead.
Svarre was narrowly defeated by Makoric in both sets as she lost 6(7)-7, 5-7.
Chekhlystova continued to impress as she pulled Penn State within one with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Adrover Gallego to improve to 6-2 on the season in singles.
O'Gorman took Nebraska's undefeated Novak to three sets, but ultimately came up short as she lost 3-6, 7-5, 1-6.
Smith was in the midst of a three-set battle against Haakenstad that was left unfinished with the score at 2-6, 6-1, 4-5.
Up Next
Penn State will return home and prepare for another Big Ten clash as they welcome Ohio State to town on Mar. 14.
Doubles Final
Gabby O'Gorman/Karly Friedland (PSU) def. Kristina Novak/Maja Makoric (NEB) 6-4
Samantha Smith/Olivia Rohrbacher (PSU) def. Isa Adrover Gallego/Caire Reifeis (NEB) 6-3
Hayley Haakenstad/Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) def. Sofiya Chekhlystova/Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) 6-4
Order of finish: 2,3,1
Singles Final
Kistina Novak (NEB) def. Gabby O'Gorman (PSU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) def. Isa Adrover Gallego (NEB) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
Claire Reifeis (NEB) def. Karly Friedland (PSU) 2-6, 1-6
Maja Makoric (NEB) def. Frederikke Svarre (PSU) 6-7, 5-7
Chloe Kuckelman (NEB) def. Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) 7-6, 6-1
Samantha Smith (PSU) vs. Hayley Haakenstad (NEB) 2-6, 6-1, 4-5, unfinished
Order of finish: 3,5,4,2,1
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