Penn State women’s tennis lost to Nebraska by a score of 4-2 on April 5 in Lincoln. The Nittany Lions now hold a record of 12-8 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten, while the Cornhuskers improved to 13-6 overall and 6-4 in conference play.
The outcome affects both teams’ standings as they approach the end of the regular season, with each match playing a role in postseason positioning.
Nebraska secured the doubles point after wins on courts two and three. Maria Daciana Ciubotaru and Jordina Cegarra lost their match on court three, while Patricia Grigoras and Maiko Uchijima were defeated on court two. Olivia Dorner and Maelie Monfils were tied at five games apiece against Nebraska’s top-ranked pair when their match was left unfinished.
In singles play, Uchijima was defeated by Emma Rizzetto on court four, giving Nebraska an early lead. Monfils responded for Penn State with her first Big Ten singles victory of the season, winning against Maria Taranova on court one. Grigoras followed with her third consecutive win, beating Conley Raidt on court two for her fourth conference singles victory this year.
Ciubotaru fell to Catherine Gagnon on court five before Dorner dropped a three-set contest to Katie Spencer that clinched the win for Nebraska. Brianna Baldi’s match at number six went unfinished with Rossini leading in the third set.
Looking ahead, Penn State will continue its road schedule next weekend with matches against Indiana on April 11 and Purdue on April 12.
