Northwestern Blanks DePaul in South Carolina, 7-0

3/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis

March 21, 2012

Complete Results

Site: Charleston, S.C. (College of Charleston Tennis Center)
Score: No. 14 Northwestern 7, No. 49 DePaul 0
Records: NU (7-6, 1-0 Big Ten), DePaul (10-5, 1-0 BIG EAST)
Next NU Event: Saturday, March 24 -- vs. Iowa (Evanston, Ill.), 11 a.m. CT

CHARLESTON, S.C.-- On the final day of their spring break training trip to South Carolina, the 14th-ranked Wildcats dominated their cross-town rivals, the 49th-ranked DePaul Blue Demons, 7-0, on the campus of the College of Charleston Wednesday afternoon.

"It was a great team effort for the 'Cats today," said head coach Claire Pollard. "We had some close matches throughout, but we played well. There were two solid wins at doubles, and to have everyone come through with deserving wins in singles was good for us moving forward."

NU's nationally touted doubles tandem of Linda Abu Mushrefova and Nida Hamilton suffered the only loss on the day for the 'Cats, losing a gritty match at No. 1 to Gia McKnight and Jasmin Kling, 8-6. Belinda Niu and Kate Turvy remain undefeated when paired together after an 8-4 win over DePaul's Patricia Fargas and Kelsey Lawson at No. 2. As the No. 3 doubles pair, Brittany Wowchuk and Veronica Corning found the win column for just the second time together this season, downing Cali Gustafson and Carolin Neumann, 8-6.

With the important doubles point in hand, the Wildcats never looked back after entering singles play. Turvy and Abu Mushrefova both earned their team-best eighth win of the season with strong performances. At No. 5, Abu Mushrefova dominated Nuemann, taking the match in two quick sets, 6-2, 6-4. NU's No. 1 Turvy, on the other hand, had to survive a three-set contest against Kling. After taking the first set, 6-3, Turvy dropped the second, 6-1. The junior ran away with the final set, however, claiming a 6-4 victory.

Wowchuk earned a much-needed win at No. 2 against Fargas. Finding herself down one set to none after dropping a 6-2 decision in the first, Wowchuk battled back and reeled off two consecutive sets to take the match, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, for her sixth win of the season.

Belinda Niu turned in one of the most impressive performances of the day with a two set victory over McKnight, 6-0, 6-2. The sophomore 'Cat is now 3-3 at No. 3 singles this year. Sophomore transfer Veronica Corning, has settled in nicely on the No. 4 line this season, and performed well once again at that spot against DePaul's Lawson. Corning took a two-set victory over the Blue Demon, 6-2, 6-4, for her fifth overall win in 2012. Nida Hamilton secured her fifth win of the year with a nice 6-3, 6-4 win over Gustafson at No. 6. The sophomore had dropped her previous four matches before her well-timed win on Wednesday.

Up next, Northwestern returns home to the North Shore to pick up the Big Ten slate. On Saturday, the Hawkeyes of Iowa fly into Evanston for an 11 a.m. match. That match is the first of the season scheduled for the Vandy Christie Tennis Center.

With an 11 a.m. start on Sunday, the 'Cats play host to Nebraska for the second time this year. Pollard's squad downed the Huskers, 4-3, on Jan. 29 to secure a spot at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships.

Fans, please note that all varsity matches will now be held on the six courts south of Dartmouth Street between Dartmouth and Noyes Avenue, just west of Sheridan Road. This is a change from previous seasons. In the event of inclement weather throughout the season, matches will be moved indoors to the Combe Tennis Center. NUsports.com and @NU_Sports will have the latest updates on any changes that occur.

Singles:
1: Kate Turvy (NU) def. Jasmin Kling (DU) - 6-3, 1-6, 6-4
2: Brittany Wowchuk (NU) def. Patricia Fargas (DU) - 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
3: Belinda Niu (NU) def. Gia McKnight (DU) - 6-0, 6-2
4: Veronica Corning (NU) def. Kelsey Lawson (DU) - 6-2, 6-4
5: Linda Abu Mushrefova (NU) def. Carolin Neumann (DU) - 6-1, 6-2
6: Nida Hamilton(NU) def. Cali Gustafson (DU) - 6-3, 6-4

Doubles:
1: Gia McKnight/Jasmin Kling (DU) def. Linda Abu Mushrefova/Nida Hamilton (NU) - 8-6
2: Belinda Niu/Kate Turvy (NU) def. Patricia Fargas/Kelsey Lawson (DU) - 8-4
3: Brittany Wowchuk/Veronica Corning (NU) def. Cali Gustafson/Carolin Neumann (DU) - 8-6

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