Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
NCAA Championships
'Cats Advance to NCAA Doubles Championships Quarterfinals
5/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
May 27, 2011
NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships
Site: Stanford, Calif. (Taube Family Tennis Center)
Next NU Event: NCAA Doubles Championships - Sat., May 28
Linda Abu Mushrefova/Nida Hamilton (NU) vs. Mari Anderson/Jana Juricova (CAL) 6 p.m. CT
Tournament Central
Live Stats/Streaming Video
STANFORD, Calif. -- Two Northwestern underclassmen -- sophomore Linda Abu Mushrefova and freshman Nida Hamilton -- secured their status as ITA All-Americans Friday by advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championship hosted by Stanford. The duo defeated UCLA's Courtney Dolehide and Andrea Remynse in two sets, 6-4, 6-2, to extend a remarkable season of doubles play.
In singles action, Maria Mosolova put up a valiant fight against third-seeded Hilary Barte of Stanford but the senior Wildcat's tournament was shortened at the hands of Barte after two sets, 6-3, 6-2.
"You know, Maria fought hard today," said NU head coach Claire Pollard. "We didn't get the outcome we wanted, but now it's time to step back and take a look at the season and career she's had. Maria's meant so much to this program over the years. Playing at the top for as long as she had is really remarkable. She was resilient throughout her career and showed that today as well."
With the loss, Mosolova's stellar career at Northwestern comes to a close. A starter at the No. 1 position for four years, Mosolova had a superb 143-33 singles record, averaging 35 wins per year for the Wildcats. After finishing No. 10 in the country in the final singles rankings this season, she became only the second Wildcat to reach All-American status all four years of her NU career.
Facing a 2010 Singles Championship semifinalist, Mosolova won the toss on Friday and chose to serve first. Barte broke serve, though, and took the first game. Mosolova came back to win the second with great serving of her own and held serve in the third, going up on the Cardinal senior, two games to one. Putting an end to Mosolova's streak, Barte claimed the next four games, eventually notching a first-set victory, 6-3.
Down a set, Mosolova won the first game of the second easily and again held an advantage over Barte. But the Stanford All-American used her serving and corner placement to make knock Mosolova off kilter, eventually winning the second, 6-2, ending Mosolova's chance at a shot at the quarterfinals.
Returning to doubles, it was a day to remember for Abu Mushrefova and Hamilton. Things looked dicey for the 'Cats as they fell in an 0-2 hole after the first two games against the Bruins, but a break of serve began a streak of four out of five games that went to the 'Cats en route to a 6-4 first-set win. The two teams traded wins in the second set to make things 1-1, but Abu Mushrefova and Hamilton capitalized on the mistakes by Dolehide and Remynse, once again capturing four of five games. The 'Cats took the second set with relative ease, 6-2, punching their ticket to the quarterfinals.
Abu Mushrefova and Hamilton will face the first-seeded California doubles team of Mari Andersson and Jana Juricova at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday in the quarterfinals.
NCAA Singles Championships Second Round Results
No. 3 Hilary Barte (STAN) def. No. 10 Maria Mosolova (NU) 6-3, 6-2
NCAA Doubles Championships First Round Results
No. 12 Abu Mushrefova/Nida Hamilton (NU) def. No. 23 Courtney Dolehide/Andrea Remynse (UCLA), 6-4, 6-2
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