TULSA, Okla. -- The Omaha women's tennis team knocked off Oral Roberts Saturday morning at the Case Tennis Center, defeating the Golden Eagles, 5-2. After earning their first conference victory of the season, UNO is now 3-5 (1-1 Summit League) on the season, while ORU falls to 4-5 (0-1 Summit League).
The Mavericks opened the day winning both the doubles matches that finished. At No. 1 doubles, freshman Michelle Lo and senior Jacqueline Baude defeated Marizanne Bouwer and Brenda Mercado Jove, 8-2. Sophomores Allison Johnson and Rebecca Stafford followed suit, defeating Nika Munoz and Kimberly Butler, 8-1.
“We came out with a lot of energy in doubles," head coach Mike Saniuk said. “We were very efficient in our play.”
In No. 6 singles action, Johnson gave the Mavs a 2-0 lead by defeating Butler 6-1, 6-0. Oral Roberts took the next two points after Stafford was defeated by Ximena Puentes 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4 and junior Molly Matricardi fell 6-2, 6-4 to Bouwer at No. 2.
From there, the Mavericks never looked back. Sophomore Kenzie Hill was victorious at No. 5, topping Nika Munoz, 6-3, 6-0. Lo also won her match at No. 1, 6-2, 6-3, over Andrada Gordon. Her win secured the Mavericks' fourth point.
The last match to finish was at No. 3, where Baude battled back to seize a victory in three sets over Brenda Mercado Jove, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5).
“I'm proud of our athletes," Saniuk said. "We have had a lot of injuries and illness, but we fought through and won. We definitely improved today as a team.”
The Mavericks return home next week with a three-match homestand. Omaha hosts Denver on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. at Miracle Hill Golf and Tennis Center.
OMAHA 5, ORAL ROBERTS 2
Singles
1. Michelle Lo (UNO) defeated Andrada Gordon (ORU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Marizanne Bouwer (ORU) defeated Molly Matricardi (UNO) 6-2, 6-4
3. Jacqueline Baude (UNO) defeated Brenda Mercado Jove (ORU) 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (5)
4. Ximena Puentes (ORU) defeated Rebecca Stafford (UNO) 6-1, 6-3
5. Kenzie Hill (UNO) defeated Nika Munoz (ORU) 6-3,6-0
6. Allison Johnson (UNO) defeated Kimberly Butler (ORU) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
1. Michelle Lo/ Jacqueline Baude (UNO) defeated Marizanne Bouwer / Brenda Mercado Jove (ORU) 8-2
2. Molly Matricardi/ Kenzie Hill (UNO) ----Andrada Gordon/ Ximena Puentes (ORU) DNF
3. Allison Johnson/ Rebecca Stafford (UNO) defeated Nika Munoz/ Kimberly Butler (ORU) 8-1
