UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.-- Penn State women's tennis (2-3) fell, 4-3, to Northwestern (1-2), in a close match to conclude ITA Kickoff Weekend in Raleigh, N.C.
"This match was a great environment for us all to compete in. We came in with a ton of energy and gave it our all. We always leave it all out on the court. I love competing with these girls because we always bring the best out in one another," said Alexandra Nielsen. "Unfortunately, we came up short today, but I'm extremely excited to see what we achieve during the rest of the season. This is just the beginning! WE ARE."
Doubles
Northwestern secured the doubles point over the Nittany Lions. Penn State's duo of Sofiya Chekhlystova and Gabrielle O'Gorman defeated Hanna McGolan and Sydney Pratt of Northwestern in the No. 1 matchup, 6-4. Partners, Hanna McGolan and Sydney Pratt of Northwestern defeated Penn State's Karly Friedland and Alexandra Nielsen, 6-4.
The doubles point was decided in a close, 7-5 victory for Northwestern's Christina Hand and Justine Leong over Penn State's Olivia Ryan and Yvonne Zuffova.
Singles
On court No.1, Chekhlystova secured Penn State a point to tie the match up at one a piece. Chekhlystova defeated Hand of Northwestern, 5-1, retired. The score settled again (2-2) with a Penn State victory from Zuffova over Maria Shusharina, 6-3, 6-4. On court No. 3, O'Gorman battled a tough match against Leong of Northwestern. O'Gorman fell in the first set, 6-3, but rallied in the second and third set to earn the win, 6-3, 6-4.
Northwestern's McColgan won the point against Nielsen, 7-6, 6-4, clinching the match for the Wildcats.
Results
Doubles
1. Sofiya Chekhlystova/Gabrielle O'Gorman (PSU) def. Hannah McColgan/Sydney Pratt (NW), 6-4
2. Briana Crowley/Maria Shusharina (NW) def. Alexandra Nielsen/Karly Friedland (PSU), 6-4
3. Christina Hand/Justine Leong (NW) def. Olivia Ryan/Yvonna Zuffova (PSU), 7-5
Order of Finish: 2,1,3
Singles
1. Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) def. #94 Clarissa Hand (NW) 5-1, retired
2. Yvonna Zuffova (PSU) def. Maria Shusharina (NW), 6-3, 6-4
3. Gabrielle O'Gorman (PSU) def. Justine Leong (NW), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
4. Sydney Pratt (NW) def. Karly Friedland (PSU), 6-0, 6-2
5. Ema Lazic (NW) def. Alina Lebedeva (PSU), 6-3, 6-3
6. Hannah McColgan (NW) def. Alexandra Nielsen (PSU) 7-6, 6-4
Order of Finish: 1,4,2,5,3,6
Next Up
The Nittany Lions travel to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. next Saturday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.
Keep up with the Penn State women's tennis team at GoPSUsports.com. For continued updates throughout the year, make sure to `like' our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewten and follow our twitter @pennstateWTEN.