Tennis: Teams combine for week-long Big Ten sweep

Women’s Tennis

The 24th-ranked Wildcats continued their victorious ways in the conference, earning two shutout wins during the week. Northwestern defeated both Rutgers and Maryland to improve its record to 11-5, and its conference record to 5-0.

Northwestern began the match with the Scarlet Knights by claiming the doubles point thanks to set wins from its first and third teams. Julie Byrne then gave the ‘Cats another point at second singles, and Rheeya Doshi added to the lead with a win at fifth. Carol Finke promptly gave Northwestern a clean sweep by nabbing the clinching point at sixth singles.

Maryland proved to be no more of a match for the Wildcats than their counterparts in Piscataway. This time, Northwestern picked up the doubles point with wins at first and second doubles. Clarissa Hand eased to a win at first singles, as did Lee Orr in the third spot and Caroline Pozo in the fourth spot. Inci Ogut and Doshi closed out a 7-0 rout with victories at sixth and fifth singles respectively.

Next week, Northwestern will have a home doubleheader with fellow B1G title contender Michigan and Michigan State.

Men’s Tennis

On the men’s side, Northwestern continued its weekend dominance, defeating both Iowa and Nebraska to improve its overall record to 12-9 and its conference record to 3-2.

The Hawkeyes took the doubles point after claiming 6-3 victories at both second and third doubles, but the Wildcats responded well. Antonioni Fasano leveled the match with a decisive 6-2 6-1 win at second singles before Simen Bratholm gave Northwestern a 2-1 advantage, defeating Iowa’s fourth singles Joe Tyler 6-4 6-2.

The momentum kept building for the ‘Cats as Jason Seidman took a 6-0 6-3 win at sixth singles to give Northwestern its third point. Chris Ephron clinched the match with a 6-4 6-0 win at third singles, but Dominik Stary and Trice Pickens both added wins for good measure.

The following day, Northwestern returned to face Nebraska. This time, the Wildcats picked up the doubles point quickly, notching wins at second and third doubles to grant the team an advantage. Seidman dominated again at sixth singles to give Northwestern a 2-0 advantage, and Ephron quickly followed that up with a victory to give Northwestern a 3-point lead.

Nebraska found a point at fourth singles, as Victor Moreno edged Bratholm in a second set tiebreak, but Pickens responded to clinch the match for the ‘Cats.

This week, the team will travel to Michigan to take on both Michigan and Michigan State, mirroring their female counterparts. Wins in both matches are attainable, as the Wolverines hold a 3-2 record in conference, and the Spartans sit at the bottom of the conference with an 0-5 record.