Huskies drop season opening match 6-1

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Nicole Ballach found success in her No. 1 singles debut, but the Huskies fell short to Lewis University 6-1 Friday morning at Five Star Tennis center in non-conference women's tennis. Ballach reached the round of 16 at the ITA individual tournament in the fall and followed with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Nafeli Zafeiri Friday in the top spot.

Ballach teamed with Lauren Opalewski at No. 1 doubles and the duo bested Anastasiya Salenko and Casey Smith 6-4, but that was where Michigan Tech's good fortune ran out. Lewis took the team doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. 

Salenko then defeated Opalewski at No. 2 singles 6-2, 6-1. Neva Manas fell in straight sets at No. 3 to Casey Smith. Marina Fernandez pushed Jovana Vujanic to a ten-point tiebreaker for the third set but lost 1-6, 6-4, 10-5. Chiara Heinz also came up short at No. 5 6-0, 6-2 to Sage Hills.

"It was a tough start to the season," said head coach Kristin Yep. "We don't have a fully healthy roster, which made it extra challenging. The team still gave everything they had to try and win today but we just came up short." 

The Huskies (0-1, 0-0) play next at Illinois Springfield Saturday at 10 a.m. Lewis (3-0, 0-0 GLVC) stayed undefeated in non-conference play.

Scores

Doubles

1. Nicole Ballach/Lauren Opalewski (MTU) def. Salenko, Anastasiya/Smith, Casey (LEWIS) 6-4
2. Zafeiri, Nefeli/Reisch, Joie (LEWIS) def. Neva Manas/Chiara Heinz (MTU) 6-1
3. Hills, Sage/Sueflohn, Grace (LEWIS) def. Marina Fernandez/Ivona Gorgioski (MTU) 6-4

Singles

1.  Nicole Ballach (MTU) def. Zafeiri, Nefeli (LEWIS) 6-3, 6-2
2.  Salenko, Anastasiya (LEWIS) def. Lauren Opalewski (MTU) 6-2, 6-1
3.  Smith, Casey (LEWIS) def. Neva Manas (MTU) 6-2, 7-5
4.  Vujanic, Jovana (LEWIS) def. Marina Fernandez (MTU) 1-6, 6-2, 10-5
5.  Hills, Sage (LEWIS) def. Chiara Heinz (MTU) 6-0, 6-2
6.  Reisch, Joie (LEWIS) def. No player (MTU), by default

Order of finish: Doubles - 2,1,3 Singles - 2,1,3,4,5