OMAHA, Neb. -- The Omaha women's tennis team split matches with Air Force and Doane in its home opener Friday at Miracle Hill Tennis Center. The Mavericks started the day with a 5-2 loss to the Falcons before defeating Doane 7-0 for the team's second win of the season.
With the split, Omaha improves to 2-2 (0-0 Summit League) on the year.
MATCH ONE -- Air Force 5, Omaha 2
In the opener, Air Force claimed the doubles point by winning two of the three matches. The doubles match featuring the pair of freshmen Rylee Tucker and Emily Behling went unfinished.
The Mavericks rebounded by picking up two wins in singles play, but Air Force won the other four to claim the match. At the No. 1 spot, junior Mchelle Lo defeated Chloe Forlini, 6-3, 6-1. Behling followed suit at the No. 4 spot, defeating Lily Forlini, 6-4, 4-6, 11-9, for her first career singles victory.
“I'm really proud of the fight against Air Force today,” head coach Adam Summitt said. “I thought we competed well but came up short on a few games. This was great experience for everyone to prepare for our upcoming matches.”
MATCH TWO -- Omaha 7, Doane 0
Omaha started the afternoon by taking two of the three doubles matches and claiming its first doubles point of the year.
The pair of sophomore Janelle Wilson and Behling came out strong in the No. 1 position, defeating Brianna Kempel and Morgan Meyer, 6-2. Junior Hannah Hills and sophomore Rachel Skolaski added another win from the No. 3 spot, 6-0 over Ashley Zaeske and Carissa Moore.
In singles play, Lo took down Zaeske, 6-6, 6-1, to improve to 4-0 this season exclusively at the No. 1 spot. No. 2 action saw Tucker defeat Ellie Bender, 6-1, 6-1, marking her first career win.
Beiling, competing at No. 3, defeated Brianna Kempel, 6-1, 6-0 to earn her second singles win of the day. Senior Kenzie Hill, at the No. 4 spot, also triumphed, 6-0, 6-1 over Meyer. Hills claimed another win over Cheyanna Kempel, 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5, while freshman Clare Crockett capped Omaha's sweep with a 6-1, 6-2 decision over Moore from the No. 6 position.
“It was a solid effort by the ladies to rebound after the loss to Air Force,” Summitt said. “They kept their foot on the gas pedal and didn't let up. It was great to see everyone in the lineup contribute.”
Omaha returns to action on Friday, Feb. 10, facing Iowa State at 11 a.m. in Des Moines, Iowa.
AIR FORCE 5, OMAHA 2
Singles
1. Michelle Lo (OMAHA) def. Chloe Forlini (AF) 6-3, 6-1
2. Elizabeth Bernickel (AF) def. Janelle Wilson (OMAHA) 6-1, 7-5
3. TJ Fumagalli (AF) def. Rylee Tucker (OMAHA) 6-1, 6-0
4. Emily Behling (OMAHA) def. Lily Forlini (AF) 6-4, 4-6, 11-9
5. Elizabeth Bernickel (AF) def. Kenzie Hill (OMAHA) 6-3, 6-1
6. Jocelle Rudico (AF) def. Hannah Hills (OMAHA) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles
Elizabeth Bernickel/TJ Fumagalli (AF) def. Michelle Lo/Janelle Wilson (OMAHA) 6-3
2. Rylee Tucker/Emily Behling (OMAHA) vs. Chloe Forlini/Jocelle Rudico (AF) 5-6, unfinished
3. Lily Forlini/Elizabeth Bernickel (AF) def. Kenzie Hill/Hannah Hills (OMAHA) 6-2
Match Notes
Air Force 1-2
Omaha 1-2
OMAHA 7, DOANE 0
Singles
1. Michelle Lo (OMAHA) def. Ashley Zaeske (DOAW) 6-0, 6-1
2. Rylee Tucker (OMAHA) def. Ellie Bender (DOAW) 6-1, 6-1
3. Emily Behling (OMAHA) def. Brianna Kempel (DOAW) 6-1, 6-0
4. Kenzie Hill (OMAHA) def. Morgan Meyer (DOAW) 6-1, 6-0
5. Hannah Hills (OMAHA) def. Cheyanna Kempel (DOAW) 6-0, 6-1
6. Clare Crockett (OMAHA) def. Carissa Moore (DOAW) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Janelle Wilson/Emily Behling (OMAHA) def. Brianna Kempel/Morgan Meyer (DOAW) 6-2
2. Kenzie Hill/Clare Crockett (OMAHA) vs. Cheyanna Kempel/Ellie Bender (DOAW) 5-1, unfinished
3. Hannah Hills/Rachel Skolaski (OMAHA) def. Ashley Zaeske/Carissa Moore (DOAW) 6-0
Match Notes
Doane (Neb.) 0-2
Omaha 2-2
