Omaha Off To Best Start In Division I Era, Defeats NIU 4-3

Sunday, February 9

Omaha, Neb.

9:30 a.m.

Omaha

Northern Illinois

Savanna Crowell clinched the match point with a singles win at No. 5.

Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann

Omaha Off To Best Start In Division I Era, Defeats NIU 4-3

Feb 9, 2020 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's tennis program defeated Northern Illinois, 4-3, in a Sunday thriller. The win also gives The Mavericks a perfect record this season at home (4-0).

Despite falling in the doubles play, Omaha rallied back with singles wins at No. 2, 3, 5 and 6.

NOTES

Omaha's 5-1 record is its best start in the Division I era and its best start since the 2008 season (6-0).
For the first time in over two years, Omaha was able to rally back from losing the doubles point and win in singles play.

"What an epic comeback from the ladies after we were down 3-1," said head coach Adam Summitt. "We couldn't convert some match points, but we also fought off numerous match points from NIU. It was a crazy match overall with so much going on. I couldn't be prouder of the girls than I am today. They showed grit and toughness. When things didn't go their way, they just kept believing in one another and played for each other. This is a special group and they're going to do great things."

Northern Illinois won the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Ines Absisan and Madison Gallegos fell 7-6 at No. 1, while Savanna Crowell and Emily Behling lost 6-3 at No. 3. The team of Natalie Lorentz and Marie Kapelevich were able to pick up a win at No. 2 (6-2).

In singles play, Omaha was able to win four matches in dramatic fashion over the Huskies. The Mavericks evened the score up after Lillian Tiemeyer won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 6. NIU, however, went up 3-1 with singles victories at No. 1 and No. 3.

Down two points in the match, Omaha secured three-straight singles wins. Absisan won at No. 2 in a three-set thriller, which included a massive tiebreaker win in the second set. The sophomore won her match 4-6, 7-6 (13), 6-4. The next win came from Loretnz, who picked up a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-5 win at No. 3.

Crowell clinched the match point for Omaha at No. 5. She defeated her opponent in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-1 for the 4-3 team win.

Omaha returns to action Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. in a showdown on the road at Kansas City. For more information, visit OMavs.com.