Throughout her first season as Indiana women’s tennis head coach, Gabrielle Moore has stressed consistency and confidence as main keys for her squad.
The Hoosiers had won three of their last four matches but prior to those victories, Indiana had lost four straight. The team has lacked consistency at times this season, resulting in a pair of streaks. On Friday however, the Hoosiers played one of their most consistent matches of the season.
Indiana returned home to the IU Tennis Center in Bloomington for its last non-conference match of the season, hosting the University of Illinois Chicago. The Hoosiers defeated the Flames 4-0.
The doubles point has been one of the main focuses for the Hoosier squad. Indiana has been searching for answers to success in their doubles points, using four different lineup combinations thus far.
With the confidence Moore has in her singles players, she believes the doubles point is crucial to support them.
“I know we have three or four girls that could win all the time,” Moore said postgame. “Getting that momentum going into singles is so important –– it gives them space to play a bit more free and confident.”
Indiana did exactly that, and for just the second time in its last seven matches, it took the doubles point to start the match.
Sophomore Elisabeth Dunac and junior Nicole Teodosescu came back from down 3-1 to win 6-4 against freshman Marta Halbersztadt and sophomore Nia Cooper. Moments later, freshman Nicole Sifuentes and sophomore Li Hsin Lin defeated the Flames pairing of freshman Edit Cosmo and senior Camille Belberka 7-5.
Despite still missing graduate student Lara Schneider due to a rib injury, Indiana continued its winning ways on the singles courts.
Dunac prevailed over junior Anaïs Brion 6-0, 6-1 to extend Indiana’s lead to 2-0. Freshman Marina Fuduric topped Cosmo 6-4, 6-3 in a back-and-forth match to continue the winning for the Hoosiers.
Lin sealed the sweep for the Hoosiers with her 6-3, 6-4 win over Halbersztadt.
Teodosescu, Sifuentes and sophomore Magdalena Swierczynska were all victorious in their first set when play concluded.
With the win, Indiana improved to 6-5 on the season. Despite matching last season's win total, Moore believes her team still has a way to go.
“We have plenty of room for improvement and know we can do better,” Moore said. “We haven't reached our full potential, and that’s a good sign.”
The season does not get easier for Indiana. The Hoosiers now have to hit the road to face No. 8 Ohio State at noon Sunday at the Ty Tucker Tennis Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeyes have four nationally ranked singles players and are the second highest ranked team in the Big Ten.
Despite being aware of the challenge ahead, Moore and her squad’s main goal is to compete and prove themselves on a higher level.
“There’s obviously no pressure, they know what they are capable of, and we are ready,” Moore said. “I think with everyone in the Big Ten, we are ready, we are excited and ready to compete.”
Follow reporter Noah Gerkey (@Noah_Gerk) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s tennis season.
