Sophomore Lia Jackson entered the record books.
Junior Shannon Duffy reached perfection.
Seniors Katherine Nasser, Jennifer Lutgert and Leigh Weinraub said farewell.
On a weekend filled with individual accomplishments and tender moments, the No. 16 Northwestern (19-4, 8-2 Big Ten) women’s tennis team defeated Iowa (10-11, 7-3) and Wisconsin (7-15, 2-8) to continue a five-match winning streak. The Wildcats finished the regular season with two 6-1 victories over the Hawkeyes and Badgers.
Jackson won both matches to give her 33 wins — an NU record for most wins in a season. Duffy also won both matchups to solidify a 10-0 record in Big Ten play.
Furthermore, Nasser, Lutgert and Weinraub won their last regular season matches at NU in front of family and friends.
“The seniors were pretty excited,” Nasser said. “It was nice that we left on a good note.”
But for the Cats, it would have all been for naught if the team didn’t win both duals. With the team in an early 1-0 hole against Wisconsin Sunday, coach Claire Pollard acknowledged the contributions of her seniors during intermission.
Pollard’s brief speech honoring the seniors sparked the Cats’ performance in singles play.
“(After losing the doubles point) we were all disappointed and discouraged,” Duffy said. “Having the break made us realize the day. All of us were playing for the seniors and each one of us (Nos.) 1-6 played well.”
Added junior Colleen Cheng: “This is the seniors’ last regular season match and we all tried to make it memorable for them by stepping up. It was nice that they won all their matches.”
The seniors’ finale at NU started with Weinraub teaming with Duffy at No. 3 doubles to defeat Wisconsin’s Dena Baritot and Shana McElroy 8-3. No. 1 singles Nasser swept Wisconsin’s April Gabler 6-3, 6-3, and Lutgert pulled out a tough three-set match 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 with her teammates cheering on the sidelines.
NU and Iowa entered Saturday in a tie for third in the Big Ten, but the drama ended when Cheng began fist-pumping and Jackson started yelling as the Cats soundly defeated the Hawkeyes in both doubles and singles.
The No. 2 doubles tandem of Jackson and Marine Piriou and No. 3 doubles duo of Duffy and Weinraub each easily won to earn Saturday’s doubles point. Nasser and Cheng suffered a tough loss at No. 1 doubles, 9-8 in a tiebreaker.
But on the singles courts, Nasser and Cheng redeemed themselves in straight sets. Nasser dominated Snera Weigler 6-0, 6-3 while Cheng used some of Pollard’s advice to make appropriate adjustments and rolled to a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Natalie Dawaf.
“After we lose, we are a little more determined,” Cheng said.
No. 4 singles Jackson defeated Iowa’s Megan Kearney 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to earn her record-setting 32nd win of the season, which broke Duffy’s old record of 31 wins. Jackson dug herself a hole by playing a tense first set, but quickly rebounded to gain a comfortable rhythm and breeze to victory.
“I am incredibly happy as she’s had a great year,” Duffy said about Jackson. “And that is 32 wins for us.”
For her part, Duffy ousted Iowa’s Toni Neykova 6-4, 6-3 and Wisconsin’s Vanessa Rauh 6-4, 6-1 in straight sets to finish undefeated in conference play.
“It just turned out that way,” Duffy said about finishing the conference season undefeated. “I pulled off some good wins and contributed 10 points to the team. I am pleased with my season and hope to continue it in the postseason.”
On a winning note, NU heads into the Big Ten tournament next week in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Cats have high expectations for the postseason and desire for rematches against the Buckeyes and the Fighting Illini at full strength.
“We have added Marine back into the lineup and we are ready to play now,” Duffy said. “We are a very confident team.”
