Northwestern traveled to Tennessee this weekend for nonconference matches against Middle Tennessee and Vanderbilt, splitting the contests. 

The weekend started out strong, with a clean 7-0 win over Middle Tennessee as the ’Cats didn’t lose a single set on Saturday. 

In doubles, sophomore Maia Loureiro and freshman Marelie Raath set the agenda with their 6-2 win. Mika Dagan Fruchtman and Neena Feldman followed suit with a 6-2 win.

Then, NU showed its prowess in singles. Raath, at No. 5, was the first to finish with a double-bagel win, her first of the season. Feldman was quick to follow at the No. 2 spot, only giving up three games in her 6-2, 6-1 win. Freshman Margot Phanthala won 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot. No. 3 Autumn Rabjohns took her match 6-4, 6-3. 

Erica Jessel’s match was less smooth-sailing, but she was still able to pull out a straight-set 7-6, 7-6 win.

However, the ’Cats’ luck changed Sunday with a 6-0 loss against Vanderbilt, the No. 12-ranked team in the nation.

Loureiro and Raath lost 6-2 against No. 46-ranked duo Erin Pearce and Mia Yamakita. Feldman and Dagan Fruchtman fell 6-2 to Celia-Belle Mohr and Sophia Webster, the country’s No. 2 doubles team. 

The ’Cats didn’t fare much better in singles. Dagan Fruchtman lost 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 5 spot against Trinetra Vijayakumar. Feldman, at No. 2, fell 6-2, 6-2 at the hands of Valeria Ray. Meanwhile, at the No. 4 spot Loureiro lost 6-4, 6-2 against Yamakita, who is ranked No. 36 nationally. 

Rabjohns fought her way to three sets in singles before falling 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7) against No. 33 Bridget Stammel. No. 1 Phanthala, ranked No. 39 also lost a tight three-setter, 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6) against Mohr. 

This was NU’s first loss of the season, bringing them to 5-1. The ’Cats will attempt to regain their momentum at Combe Tennis Center against Fordham on Feb. 15.

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