OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's tennis team opened the 2015 season Thursday morning, falling to 7-0 to Air Force at Miracle Hill Tennis & Golf Center. UNO is now 0-1 (0-0 Summit League) on the season, while the Falcons improve to 1-0 (0-0 Mountain West).
The Mavericks started the day with a No. 1 doubles victory by senior Jacqueline Baude and freshman Michelle Lo, 6-3 over Jocelle Rudico and Natasha Rizvi.

In No. 2 doubles, junior Molly Matricardi and sophomore Kenzie Hill were defeated with a score of 6-4, and in No. 3 doubles, sophomores Rebecca Stafford and Allison Johnson also fell 6-4. Following the conclusion of doubles play, the Falcons led 1-0 with the doubles point.

Omaha battled in singles play, but Air Force ultimately took all six matches. At the No. 4 position, Hill was defeated 6-0, 6-1 by Lily Forlini. Stafford played a close match against Rudico at the No. 5 slot, falling 6-0, 6-4, and Baude, competing in the No. 3 spot, was defeated 6-2, 6-3 by Tracy Landram.

“Jacqueline battled through an illness and gave what she could,” head coach Mike Saniuk said. “Though she lost her match, she turned her second set around and finished strong.”

Matricardi played both sets tough but was topped 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 singles by Chloe Forlini.

“Molly gave a great effort today,” Saniuk said. “I was happy to see how she competed, and the score didn't indicate how close her match actually was.”

Lo made her collegiate debut at the No. 1 singles spot, falling to Rizvi, 6-0, 6-2. Johnson closed out the day for the Mavericks, as she was defeated 6-0, 6-3 by Carley Hatcliff.

“We learned a lot today playing against Air Force,” Saniuk said. “Now we'll put this match behind us and move forward to our next match against Nebraska Wesleyan this weekend.”

Omaha returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 24, hosting in-state foe Nebraska Wesleyan. The match is slated for a 2 p.m. start at Miracle Hill Tennis & Golf Center.

AIR FORCE 7, OMAHA 0
Singles
1. Natasha Rizvi (AF) def. Michelle Lo (UNO) – 6-0, 6-2
2. Chloe Forlini (AF) def. Molly Matricardi (UNO) – 6-2, 6-2
3. Tracy Landram (AF) def. Jacqueline Baude (UNO) – 6-2, 6-3
4. Lily Forlini (AF) def. Kenzie Hill (UNO) – 6-0, 6-1
5. Jocelle Rudico (AF) def. Rebecca Stafford (UNO) – 6-0, 6-4
6. Carley Hatcliff (AF) def. Allison Johnson (UNO) – 6-0, 6-3

Doubles
1. Jacqueline Baude/Michelle Lo (UNO) def. Jocelle Rudico/Natasha Rizvi (AF) – 6-3
2. Chloe Forlini/Lily Forlini (AF) def. Molly Matricardi/Kenzie Hill (UNO) – 6-4
3. Tracy Landram/Carley Hatcliff (AF) def. Rebecca Stafford/Allison Johnson (UNO) – 6-4