It was the biggest challenge that Indiana women’s tennis faced this season — a road bout against a top 10 team. The Hoosiers had the opportunity to snag their third ranked win since the 2021-22 season.
Indiana, however, couldn’t capitalize on the prime opportunity for a signature win.
The Hoosiers traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to face off against No. 8 Ohio State. The Buckeyes won the previous eight meetings leading up to Sunday’s match, and they once again prevailed, defeating Indiana 4-0.
Indiana fell behind early as the Buckeyes took the doubles point. Ohio State senior Dani Schoenly and sophomore Audrey Spencer rolled to a 6-1 win over Indiana junior Nicole Teodosescu and sophomore Elisabeth Dunac on the No. 3 doubles court.
Ohio State later claimed the doubles point on the No. 1 doubles court when sophomore Luciana Perry and freshman Nao Nishino prevailed over Indiana’s sophomore Magdalena Swierczynska and freshman Marina Fuduric 6-2.
The home team’s dominance in doubles continued in singles play.
Indiana continued to play without graduate student Lara Schneider, who is battling a rib injury, according to head coach Gabrielle Moore. Schneider is a big loss for the Hoosier squad as she is undefeated in singles so far this season with a 7-0 record.
Spencer, who is ranked No. 79 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings, had no trouble with Swiercznska, winning 6-0, 6-0 on the No. 5 singles court. Similarly, No. 86 Nishino defeated Fuduric in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, on the No. 2 singles court.
The matchup was later sealed on the No. 3 singles court. Senior Shelly Bereznyak defeated Indiana freshman Nicole Sifuentes 6-0, 6-4.
The loss puts the Cream and Crimson’s record at 6-6 on the season. With 11 matches left in the season, nine against ranked teams, there is a lot of time left for marquee wins, but more importantly, conference wins. The Hoosiers have not won a regular -season conference match since April 23, 2023, when they defeated Minnesota due to a forfeit.
Indiana will hit the road again at noon Friday as it travels to University Park, Pennsylvania, to face No. 52 Penn State.
Follow reporter Noah Gerkey (@Noah_Gerk) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s tennis season.
