EVANSTON, Ill. (April 5, 2023) – After splitting a pair of matchups at home this past weekend, Northwestern women’s tennis (6-11, 2-3 B1G) will head east to kick off a four-match road trip. The ‘Cats will visit College Park, Md. on Friday afternoon to take on No. 56 Maryland in a 1 p.m. (CT) tilt before making their way to Piscataway, N.J. to battle Rutgers in Sunday’s weekend finale at 11 a.m. (CT)
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern battled current Big Ten leader No. 5 Michigan this past Saturday, dropping a 4-0 decision. Despite the loss, the Wildcats were very competitive in singles against several nationally ranked Wolverines. Justine Leong, Maria Susharina, and Briana Crowley were each able to take the first set against their opponents in matches that went unfinished.
The Wildcats bounced back less than 24 hours later against Michigan State, picking up a 4-1 win over the Spartans. The ‘Cats took the doubles point thanks to 6-2 victories from the tandems of Leong and Christina Hand and Crowley and Susharina. In singles action, Hand made quick work of Nicole Conard, cruising to a 6-1, 6-1 victory in straight sets. Sydney Pratt also rolled to a 6-3, 6-3 straight sets victory against Charlotte Gisclon. Susharina closed the match with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Marley Lambert.
RANKINGS UPDATE
Following Sunday’s victory, the doubles tandem of Leong and Hand climbed eight spots to No. 34 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Doubles Rankings. The duo has won its last five finished matches and currently owns a 9-1 record in dual action.
Hand continues to be a mainstay in the singles rankings, checking in at #123 in the latest release.
They keep moving ??
Christina Hand & Justine Leong climb to #34 in this week’s @ITA_Tennis Doubles Rankings!#GoCats pic.twitter.com/8LlGalyROE
— NU Women’s Tennis (@NUWildcatTennis) April 4, 2023
LOOKING AHEAD
After seeing its four-match win streak snapped against Wisconsin on Sunday, Maryland (14-4, 3-2 B1G) checks in at No. 56 in the latest ITA Team Rankings and currently sit in fifth place in the Big Ten Conference standing.
Head coach Katie Dougherty’s squad boasts the nation’s 60th-ranked doubles pairing in Mary Brumfield and Selma Cadar. The…
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