Cardinals Complete Doubleheader Sweep of North Alabama

Friday, January 17

LOUISVILLE, KY

3:00 p.m.

University of Louisville

North Alabama

Cardinals Complete Doubleheader Sweep of North Alabama

January 17, 2020 | Women's Tennis

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Louisville wins 5-0

By: Nancy Worley

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Louisville women's tennis team picked up their second win of the day with a 5- 0 sweep of North Alabama in the second match of the doubleheader with the Lions.

"They didn't give me too many things to be upset about," said Mark Beckham, UofL head coach. "A little bit of focus issues and it's difficult to play a double header. This is the first we've ever done a doubleheader where we've played the same team twice. This is the first time ever, so I could kind of understand the second match. They lost that focus and, I don't want to say motivation, but lost that just a little bit. Outside of that, I feel like it's a good day. We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish, so it was good."

The Cardinals took the doubles point with wins at all three slots starting with a win at No. 2 by Andrea DiPalma and Rhea Verma, who beat Nina Linke and Kalais Going 6-2. UofL clinched the point when the No. 1 pair of Raven Neely and Maia Haumuller downed Payton Andrews and Sydney Flesh 6-2. A win by Dina Chaika and Jelena Vujanic at No. 3 completed the sweep.

The Cardinals stayed on top of the Lions in singles, starting with a win at No.4 when Maia Haumuller beat Megan Humphreys 6-1, 6-2. The next point was won by Diana Wong at No. 6, who won 6-0, 6-3 over Nicole Reilly. The match was clinched by Rhea Verma at No. 2, who rolled 6-2, 6-2 over Payton Andrews. The Cards also got a point from Raven Neely, who won 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1. Play was suspended after the clinch.

"We have a lot of new girls, a majority of them are transfers from somewhere else so they have college experience already. The one freshman we do have is just supremely talented. She still has to figure out what college life is all about and understand the pressures of playing college tennis, but she's really good. I'm excited about it. I feel like this group gets along well. When you come to a different school it might be different than obviously how we do things here. So, they have to get adjusted to how we coach them in matches and that kind of thing. They are a good group to be around. I enjoy them, so I think we have a chance to be pretty good."

North Alabama vs Louisville
Jan 17, 2020 at Louisville, Ky.
(Bass-Rudd Tennis Center
Louisville 5, North Alabama 0

Singles competition
1. Raven Neely (LOU) def. Sydney Flesch (UNA) 6-2, 6-3
2. Rhea Verma (LOU) def. Payton Andrews (UNA) 6-2, 6-2
3. Jelena Vujanic (LOU) def. Kalais Going (UNA) 7-5, 5-1
4. Maia Haumueller (LOU) def. Megan Humphreys (UNA) 6-1, 6-2
5. Dina Chaika (LOU) def. Lee-Taylor Bishop (UNA) 6-0, 4-3
6. Diana Wong (LOU) def. Nicole Reilly (UNA) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Raven Neely/Maia Haumueller (LOU) def. Payton Andrews/Sydney Flesch (UNA) 6-2
2. Andrea Di Palma/Rhea Verma (LOU) def. Nina Linke/Kalais Going (UNA) 6-2
3. Dina Chaika/Jelena Vujanic (LOU) def. Megan Humphreys/Elise Sickle (UNA) 6-4

Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,6,2,1)