As a freshman, Lia Jackson compiled a 19-5 record in dual play for the Northwestern women’s tennis team.
This year, Jackson has yet to lose for the No. 14 Wildcats (14-2, 4-0 Big Ten). The sophomore ran her winning streak to 16 Sunday with a straight-set victory over Purdue’s Erika Quebe as NU beat the visiting Boilermakers 7-0.
“I don’t want to count anyone as an automatic,” coach Claire Pollard said, “but she is in a strong position to win at her spot every time.”
Pollard said Jackson — the team’s No. 4 singles player — could probably play at a higher position. There’s just one problem: The rest of the team keeps winning. From top to bottom, Pollard said, the Cats have produced wins.
Pollard said she likes the team’s stability. She said NU has benefitted from the strong performance of each of its six competitors in singles.
“We don’t have any holes in our lineup,” senior Katherine Nasser said. “Our bottom player could be playing anywhere.”
Added junior Colleen Cheng: “A lot of teams have one or two top players who will kick everyone’s ass and they count on two or three wins. We come away with the win because we’re more together and more of a team.”
In addition to Jackson’s stellar play, Pollard said Cheng is “on fire” as the team’s No. 3 player. Cheng won her match in straight sets (6-1, 6-2) against Purdue’s Melissa Iqbal.
The team remains perfect in Big Ten play largely because of its depth. NU posted a 5-2 win over Michigan on Feb. 26 and a 7-0 shutout against Michigan State the next day. The Cats also knocked off Indiana 5-2 Saturday before sweeping Purdue (6-8, 1-4).
The only disappointments thus far have been a 6-3 loss to No. 12 Notre Dame on March 1 and a 6-2 loss to No. 11 Duke on Feb. 17.
But the setbacks came to two top programs, and Pollard said her team has put itself in “a good position.”
“At this point in the season, things probably could not have gone better,” Pollard said.
Nasser, NU’s No. 1 singles player, said the team is playing with confidence. Nasser defeated Purdue’s Jennifer Embry 6-3, 6-4.
“It helps the team and it definitely gets me pumped up,” said Nasser of the win.
Pollard said Nasser is improving and has responded well to a rough season as a junior last year.
After earning Big Ten Player of the Year two seasons ago, Nasser compiled a 6-15 record in singles play last year. The Cats, however, won the Big Ten championship and garnered a No. 22 ranking to finish the season. So far, Nasser is 2-2 in conference play and is currently the No. 60 singles player in the nation.
Nasser said NU — winner of its past five matches — expects success this season as well.
The Cats look to keep their perfect conference record intact Saturday when they host Illinois. Although the Cats own a 28-5 all-time record against the Fighting Illini, Pollard said NU treats each opponent the same.
“I have an incredible team that is ready to play every day, ” Pollard said.
