AUSTIN, Texas -- No. 36 Northwestern dropped the finale of its three-match trip to the state of Texas, falling 5-2 to No. 34 Texas on Monday at Whitaker Tennis Courts.
The contest was the final nonconference matchup of the regular season for the Wildcats (5-8).
The Longhorns (9-5) jumped out to an early advantage by taking the doubles point. NU's 40th-ranked duo of Alicia Barnett and Erin Larner was the first duo to secure a win as the team defeated Neda Koprcina and Daniella Roldan at No. 2. A top-20 showdown at the top spot went the way of the hosts as the No. 17 team of Breaunna Addison and Dani Wagland topped No. 20 Alex Chatt and Maddie Lipp, 6-3. Texas secured the point with a victory at No. 3 as Katie Poluta and Chelsea Crovetti posted a 6-3 win.
The teams battled in a number of closely contested matches in singles play as two went the full three sets and two others included at least one tiebreaker. Texas increased its lead to 2-0 with a straight-sets victory from Katie Poluta at No. 4. All remaining matches on the courts were up for grabs, but the Longhorns ultimately got victories from Neda Koprcina at No. 2 and Daniella Roldan at No. 5 to secure the match win.
Northwestern got on the board thanks to a straight-set win by 40th-ranked Lipp at No. 3. The redshirt sophomore worked hard to defeat Wagland in a pair of tiebreakers, winning 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1). At No. 6, Brooke Rischbieth also disposed of her opponent in two sets as she took down Lana Groenvynck 7-5, 6-3.
In the last remaining match on the courts, 81st-ranked Larner got off to a good start against 12th-ranked Addison as she won the first set before ultimately falling 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The Wildcats conclude their regular season by playing eight consecutive matches against Big Ten foes. At 3-0 in conference play to date, Northwestern opens its home league slate at 11 a.m. Saturday when it takes on Nebraska.
#34 Texas 5, #36 Northwestern 2
Doubles
1. #17 Breaunna Addison/Dani Wagland (UT) def. #20 Alex Chatt/Maddie Lipp (NU) 6-3
2. #40 Alicia Barnett/Erin Larner (NU) def. Neda Koprcina/Daniella Roldan (UT) 6-2
3. Katie Poluta/Chelsea Crovetti (UT) def. Brooke Rischbieth/Lee Or (NU) 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3*
Singles
1. #12 Breaunna Addison (UT) def. #81 Erin Larner (NU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Neda Koprcina (UT) def. Alicia Barnett (NU) 6-3, 7-6 (5)
3. #40 Maddie Lipp (NU) def. Dani Wagland (UT) 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1)
4. Katie Poluta (UT) def. Alex Chatt (NU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Daniella Roldan (UT) def. Jillian Rooney (NU) 1-6, 7-5, 6-3
6. Brooke Rischbieth (NU) def. Lana Groenvynck (UT) 7-5, 6-3
Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 6, 1
The contest was the final nonconference matchup of the regular season for the Wildcats (5-8).
The Longhorns (9-5) jumped out to an early advantage by taking the doubles point. NU's 40th-ranked duo of Alicia Barnett and Erin Larner was the first duo to secure a win as the team defeated Neda Koprcina and Daniella Roldan at No. 2. A top-20 showdown at the top spot went the way of the hosts as the No. 17 team of Breaunna Addison and Dani Wagland topped No. 20 Alex Chatt and Maddie Lipp, 6-3. Texas secured the point with a victory at No. 3 as Katie Poluta and Chelsea Crovetti posted a 6-3 win.
The teams battled in a number of closely contested matches in singles play as two went the full three sets and two others included at least one tiebreaker. Texas increased its lead to 2-0 with a straight-sets victory from Katie Poluta at No. 4. All remaining matches on the courts were up for grabs, but the Longhorns ultimately got victories from Neda Koprcina at No. 2 and Daniella Roldan at No. 5 to secure the match win.
Northwestern got on the board thanks to a straight-set win by 40th-ranked Lipp at No. 3. The redshirt sophomore worked hard to defeat Wagland in a pair of tiebreakers, winning 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1). At No. 6, Brooke Rischbieth also disposed of her opponent in two sets as she took down Lana Groenvynck 7-5, 6-3.
In the last remaining match on the courts, 81st-ranked Larner got off to a good start against 12th-ranked Addison as she won the first set before ultimately falling 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
The Wildcats conclude their regular season by playing eight consecutive matches against Big Ten foes. At 3-0 in conference play to date, Northwestern opens its home league slate at 11 a.m. Saturday when it takes on Nebraska.
#34 Texas 5, #36 Northwestern 2
Doubles
1. #17 Breaunna Addison/Dani Wagland (UT) def. #20 Alex Chatt/Maddie Lipp (NU) 6-3
2. #40 Alicia Barnett/Erin Larner (NU) def. Neda Koprcina/Daniella Roldan (UT) 6-2
3. Katie Poluta/Chelsea Crovetti (UT) def. Brooke Rischbieth/Lee Or (NU) 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3*
Singles
1. #12 Breaunna Addison (UT) def. #81 Erin Larner (NU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Neda Koprcina (UT) def. Alicia Barnett (NU) 6-3, 7-6 (5)
3. #40 Maddie Lipp (NU) def. Dani Wagland (UT) 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1)
4. Katie Poluta (UT) def. Alex Chatt (NU) 6-3, 6-1
5. Daniella Roldan (UT) def. Jillian Rooney (NU) 1-6, 7-5, 6-3
6. Brooke Rischbieth (NU) def. Lana Groenvynck (UT) 7-5, 6-3
Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 6, 1