The Nebraska women recorded a seventh-place finish in the team standings in a strong field that included three nationally-ranked teams at the Weis-Crockett Invite on Saturday morning in Stillwater, Okla.
 
The Huskers totaled 257 points in their seventh-place finish, falling five points shy of sixth-place Southern Utah and seven points short of Washington State in fifth. No. 19 California Baptist captured the women's title with 50 points, followed by No. 3 Oklahoma State with a runner-up finish of 76 points.
 
Nebraska finished 23rd in the men's standings with a total of 628 points. Montana State won the men's title with 62 points, edging runner-up California Baptist's score of 63 points.
 
Alea Hardie was the top finisher for the Husker women with a 17th-place finish of 21:16.2. The freshman was consistently in the top 10 through the first 5K, before dropping to 17th in the final 1,000 meters. Hannah Godwin was the next Husker to cross the finish line with a run of 21:42.1 to place 41st. Brynna McQuillen pieced together a 46th-place finish with a run of 21:43.0, while Taya Skelton had a run of 22:04.1 to finish 73rd. Deavion DeLeon rounded out the scoring for the Huskers with a 98th-place run of 22:21.6.
 
Bailey Timmons led the Nebraska men with a 74th-place run of 24:49.1. Cal Puskar clocked a 25:31.3 to finish 145th, followed by Adam Christopher in 152nd with a run of 25:36.2. Colby Erdkamp had a run of 25:42 to cross the finish line in 159th, edging out Trevor Acton with a time of 25:44.6 in his 163rd-place finish.
 
The Huskers are off next weekend and return to action at the Big Ten Cross Country Championships on Friday, Oct. 28 in Ann Arbor, Mich.
 
Women's Lineup (6K)
17. Alea Hardie – 21:16.2
41. Hannah Godwin – 21:42.1
46. Brynna McQuillen – 21:43.0
73. Taya Skelton – 22:04.1
98. Deavion DeLeon – 22:21.6
106. Lindsey Blehm – 22:26.6
115. Emma Ralston – 22:32.4
123. Jade Hallgrimson – 22:42.8
143. Cami Merickel – 22:55.5
179. Elizabeth Robertson – 23:35.5
204. Zoie Ecord – 24:10.8
212. McKenna Lovehaug – 24:36.8
 
Men's Lineup (8K)
74. Bailey Timmons – 24:49.1
145. Cal Puskar – 25:31.3
152. Adam Christopher – 25:36.2
159. Colby Erdkamp – 25:42.0
163. Trevor Acton – 25:44.6
181. Grant Wasserman – 25:56.7
184. Jerry Jorgenson – 26:00.5
188. Jake Ralston – 26:02.6
207. Sadio Fenner – 26:18.0
226. Zach Van Brocklin – 27:13.8

Huskers Belt Five Homers in 12-9 Win at KU

Nebraska baseball wrapped up its fall schedule with a 12-9 win in a 14-inning exhibition at Kansas on Saturday evening in Lawrence.

The Huskers totaled 12 runs on 16 hits and three errors, while the Jayhawks had nine runs on 14 hits and three errors.

Nebraska saw pre-planned pitching appearances from Caleb Clark (1.0 inning), Shay Schanaman (2.0), Jalen Worthley (1.0), Corbin Hawkins (1.0), Brett Sears (2.0), Jace Kaminska (1.0), Emmett Olson (1.0), Will Rizzo (1.0), JC Gutierrez (1.0), Drew Christo (1.0), Jackson Brockett (1.0) and Michael Garza (1.0).

The Huskers jumped ahead with a two-run homer by Caron in the first frame. Kansas got one run back in the first, before back-to-back homers by Fischer and Everitt extended the lead to 4-1 in the second.

A two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth tied the game back up at four.

Nebraska responded with a solo homer by Anderson in the fifth, while an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning locked the game in a 5-5 tie.

Kansas grabbed its largest lead of the night with an RBI single and a bases-clearing double to make it a 9-5 game after 10 innings.

The Huskers threatened with a two-out double by Luke Jessen and a walk to Cayden Brumbaugh in the 11th, but KU kept the Big Red scoreless to maintain the four-run lead.

Everitt singled and Gabe Swansen reached on an error, before an RBI single from Dayvin Johnson and Brumbaugh's RBI double brought the Huskers within two in the 13th.

Nebraska tied the game at nine in the top of the 14th with a two-run blast by Ben Columbus. Luke Sartori plated the go-ahead run on a passed ball, while a botched pop-up allowed Swansen to come around and score to double the lead to 11-9.

The top of the 14th was called off early because of a pitch count, which added one more run to the Nebraska lead. Garza shut down the Jayhawks in the bottom of the 14th to clinch the victory for the Huskers.

Huskers Shoot for Second Tourney Title

The Nebraska women's golf team shoots for its second straight Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational championship while pursuing its second tournament title of the season, when the Huskers travel to Lawrence, Kan. (Oct. 17-18).

Nebraska heads to Kansas following a runner-up finish in a 13-team field at the Dale McNamara Invitational at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow, Okla. (Oct. 10-11). The Huskers put together the best team round of the tournament with a 280 (-8) in the final round, but came up one stroke short of the team championship.

Individually, Miu Takahashi starred for the Big Red by capturing her first career collegiate title with a career-best 213 (-3) that included a final-round 69 (-3). In addition to bringing home the tournament hardware, the sophomore from Nasu-machi, Japan was also named the Big Ten Golfer of the Week (Oct. 12).

Last season at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational at Colbert Hills in Manhattan, Kan., Takahashi helped the four-player Nebraska "B" team to the tournament title in a 10-team field. Takahashi tied for fifth with a then-career best 222, including a career-best 68 (-4) in the second round. Huskers Lindsey Thiele and Nicole Hansen shared medalist honors with three-round totals of 219, while Andrea Velez added a tie for 19th with 225.

Nebraska's "A" team added a sixth-place finish, despite top-five finishes from Kirsten Baete and Vanessa Bouvet, and a tie for 23rd from Megan Whittaker.

The Huskers head to Kansas ranked No. 23 by Golfweek with a 35-2 head-to-head record, including 22 wins over top-100 foes.

Nebraska entered the national polls at No. 19 by Golfweek (Sept. 22) and No. 20 in the Mizuno WGCA Coaches Poll (Sept. 23). The Huskers are No. 29 in the GolfStat head-to-head rankings.

Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational
Lawrence, Kan. (Host: Kansas)
Lawrence Country Club (Par 72, 6,125 Yards)
Monday, Oct. 17 (Rounds 1-2) - 8 a.m. (Tee Times)
Tuesday, Oct. 18 (Round 3) - 8 a.m. (Tee Times)
Live Scoring: GolfStat.com

Participating Teams (15)
Arizona
Boston College
BYU
Iowa
Kansas
Kent State
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Mexico State
Notre Dame
Sam Houston
Tulane
UTSA
Washington State
Wisconsin

Nebraska Lineup
1. Miu Takahashi, So. (71.78)
2. Kelli Ann Strand, Fr. (70.00)
3. Megan Whittaker, Gr. (72.22)
4. Michaela Vavrova, Jr. (74.50)
5. Lindsey Thiele, Jr. (73.11)
IND - Andrea Velez, So. (75.78)

Takahashi Takes Title, Huskers Finish Second at Dale McNamara Invite
Miu Takahashi won her first collegiate title to lead Nebraska to a runner-up finish at the Dale McNamara Invitational in Broken Arrow, Okla., Oct. 10-11. Takahashi's one-stroke win came with a career-best 213 (-3) that included a final-round 69 (-3) to storm to the top of the leader board.

Freshman Kelli Ann Strand added her third consecutive top-five finish to open her career, tying for third at 215 (-1), including a final-round 69 of her own.

Junior Michaela Vavrova contributed a season-best 70 (-2) in the final round to surge into a tie for 22nd, while graduate Megan Whittaker added a tie for 22nd as well with a three-round total of 223. Lindsey Thiele also pitched in a 70 in the final round to tie for 30th (226) in a 75-player field in Oklahoma.

The Huskers closed the 54-hole tournament with an 869 (+5) team score, just one stroke back of the team champions from Tulsa. Nebraska's final-round 280 (-8) was the best 18-hole score of any team in the tournament.

Huskers Storm to Badger Invite Title
Kelli Ann Strand charged 16 spots up the individual leader board to take a top-five finish and help the Huskers claim the team title at the Badger Invitational (Sept. 18-20). 

The Huskers, who entered the final round four strokes behind the leaders from Notre Dame, dominated the field on a stormy day on the 6,248-yard layout of the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. Nebraska put up the best team round for the second straight day, closing the final eight holes with an even-par 288 to end the tournament at 863 (-1) over three rounds. The Big Red defeated both Notre Dame (874) and Old Dominion (874) by 11 strokes in the final team standings. ODU closed the tournament with a final-round 293 (+5), while the Fighting Irish struggled down the stretch with a 303 (+15).

Strand, a true freshman from Challis, Idaho, carded a final-round 67 (-5) to jump from a tie for 20th into a tie for fourth in the final standings. Strand's final round included an eagle on No. 16 and three birdies to go along with 14 pars. Strand closed the tournament with a 54-hole score of 213 (-3). She battled her way into the final top five after ending the opening day in a tie for 50th with a 77. Her final-round 67 was the low round of the day and one of just 10 rounds better than par on the final day of the tournament in the 75-player field.

Miu Takahashi added a top-10 individual finish of her own, closing an impressive tournament with an even-par 72. The sophomore from Nasu-machi, Japan, finished eighth at 215 (-1). Takahashi's final round included birdies on No. 5, No. 9 and No. 16 to overcome a trio of bogeys, while adding 12 pars. Her three-round total of 215 was three strokes better than her previous career-best 218 (+2), which she set the previous week at the Green Wave Classic in New Orleans. 

Huskers in National Rankings
Nebraska entered the national rankings for the first time in many years when the Huskers came in at No. 19 in the Golfweek rankings (Sept. 22). The Huskers also entered the Mizuno WGCA Coaches Poll at No. 20 (Sept. 23).

Following a runner-up finish at the Dale McNamara Invitational, the Huskers remained in the top 25 at No. 23 in Golfweek (Oct. 13), while coming at No. 28 in the Mizuno WGCA Coaches Poll (Oct. 14). The Big Red are also ranked No. 29 in the Golfstat head-to-head rankings (Oct. 13).

Freshman Kelli Ann Strand is ranked No. 44 individually by Golfweek, while sophomore Miu Takahashi has climbed to No. 147 after winning the Dale McNamara Invitational. Graduate student Megan Whittaker gives the Huskers three golfers in the top 200 by coming in at No. 198.

Nebraska is the highest ranked Big Ten team in both the Golfweek and Mizuno WGCA Coaches rankings, while the Huskers sit immediately behind Michigan (No. 28) in the Golfstat head-to-head rankings.
 
Freshman Strand Makes Instant Impact for Big Red
Kelli Ann Strand made a record-setting collegiate debut on her way to an individual victory at the Green Wave Classic in New Orleans (Sept. 12-13).

Strand, a three-time Idaho state champion who was ranked among the top-310 players in the world (WAGR 308) before arriving at Nebraska, set the Husker freshman record with a second-round 65 (-7) while tying the NU record for best 54-hole tournament score with a 202 (-14) at the Bayou Oaks South Course. Strand's performance included a school freshman record 65 (-7) in the second round. The true freshman from Challis, Idaho, fired a 29 (-7) over the back nine in the second round before opening the third round with a 31 (-5) on the front nine, carding a 60 (-12) over those consecutive 18 holes splitting two rounds. The NCAA record for best round of women's golf is 61. Strand also was named the Big Ten Golfer of the Week (Sept. 15).

A leading contender to earn a second straight Idaho Golf Association Women's Player of the Year award, Strand produced a strong summer of 2022. After winning the Idaho Women's Match Play title she took second at the Idaho Women's Amateur. She was also the runner-up at the Girls Junior Americas Cup (July 24-28) for the second straight year with a three-round total of 205 (-11). She captured third at the IMG Academy Junior World Championship (July 12-15) with a four-round total of 280 (-8), which came before competing at the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur in Kentucky (July 18-23), where she advanced to Match Play before finishing in a tie for 33rd.

Strand earned the No. 1 position in Nebraska's lineup for the season-opening Green Wave Classic by winning Nebraska's competitive qualifying rounds in advance of the tournament. 

She leads Nebraska with a 70.00 stroke average over nine rounds.

Whittaker Back for Fifth Year to Lead Huskers in Big Ten
A hard-working golfer who has shown impressive improvement throughout her five collegiate seasons, Megan Whittaker returns to lead Nebraska in the hunt for an NCAA Regional bid in 2022-23. The graduate student from Elkhorn, Neb., produced Nebraska's No. 2 stroke average (74.04) in 2021-22, just missing an individual NCAA Regional bid. She trailed only NCAA Regional qualifier Kirsten Baete (73.94) among the Huskers.

Whittaker opened her fifth season as a Husker with a career-best 207 (-9) to take sixth at the Green Wave Classic. It followed a big summer for Whittaker that included a sweep of the Nebraska women's match play and stroke play championships and a berth in the U.S. Women's Amateur.

Whittaker also joined teammates Michaela Vavrova and Kelli Ann Strand as Big Ten Golfers to Watch heading into the 2022-23 season. Whittaker produced the first two top-10 individual finishes of her career while matching Baete and Vanessa Bouvet for the team lead with seven top-25 performances in 2021-22.

A star in the classroom and the community, Whittaker earned her bachelor's degree in finance in May of 2022. She is a four-time WGCA Scholastic All-American, a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. In the community, she earned a prestigious Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award at Nebraska in 2021. She was also Nebraska's 2021 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner for women's golf.

Whittaker's ties to Nebraska women's golf are very strong, as her mother Kim (Lefler) lettered as a golfer for the Huskers from 1991 to 1994, helping Nebraska advance to the 1994 NCAA West Regional as a senior.

B1G Golfer-to-Watch Vavrova Competes for Slovakia at WATC
Michaela Vavrova missed the first week of fall classes while competing as a member of the Slovakian Team at the World Amateur Team Championships in Paris in late-August. The third-year Husker was Slovakia's top finisher in a field that featured 56 of the world's best amateur teams.

Vavrova did not travel to the Green Wave Classic after capping her sophomore season at Nebraska by tying for 17th with a three-round total of 220 (+7) at the 2022 Big Ten Championship. She opened with a career-best 68 (-3) to sit atop the leader board after one round and was tied for fifth at 141 (-1) through two rounds in Pittsburgh.

Vavrova captured her first career collegiate title by firing a career-best 217 (+1) over three rounds at the Stampede at The Creek in Elkhorn, Neb. (Oct. 4-5, 2021). She was named the Big Ten Co-Golfer of the Week (Oct. 6), and closed the 2021 fall campaign with a tie for 10th (217) that included a career-best second-round 69 (-3) to help the Huskers to a runner-up team finish at the White Sands Collegiate.

As a true freshman, Vavrova competed in all 21 rounds in the 2020-21 Husker lineup, posting NU's fourth-best stroke average (76.33). She notched three straight top-25 finishes (Arizona Wildcat, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Indiana Spring Invite). Vavrova also put up a 224 to tie for 33rd in helping Nebraska to a runner-up team finish at the Big Ten Championship. She was NU's No. 2 finisher at the NCAA Columbus Regional with her tie for 45th (229).
 
Thiele Continues to Improve; Prepares for Strong Junior Year
Lindsey Thiele captured her second career top-10 finish by tying for eighth with a career-best 209 (-7)  at the season-opening Green Wave Classic (Sept. 12-13). Her performance included a career-best 69 (-3) in the opening round.

As a sophomore, Thiele (pronounced TEEL) produced a solid 76.89 stroke average while competing in five tournaments. She shared the individual title with teammate Nicole Hansen at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational (Sept. 20-21, 2021). Thiele opened with rounds of 70 and 7) on her way to a then-career-best 219 (+3) at Colbert Hills. Thiele's effort earned her Big Ten Co-Golfer-of-the-Week honors with Hansen (Sept. 22).

The Wahoo, Neb., native who is the most recent of three sisters (Haley, Hannah) to play golf for the Big Red, was NU's sixth golfer in the count-four format at the 2021 Big Ten Championship.

An outstanding student, Thiele is a Regents Scholar at Nebraska and a two-time WGCA Scholastic All-American.

Sophomores Get Early Chance to Help Huskers at Green Wave
Sophomores Miu Takahashi (Nasu-machi, Japan) and Andrea Velez (Pereira, Colombia) earned lineup spots to open the 2022 fall campaign at the Green Wave Classic, while fellow sophomore Lena Hassert (Kreuzau, Germany) also traveled to New Orleans as an individual.

Takahashi and Velez both contributed to Nebraska's school-record three-round tournament total of 835 by finishing in a tie for 35th with 54-hole totals of 218 (+2).

Takahashi was the most consistent newcomer to the Big Red lineup in 2021-22. She produced a 77.55 stroke average over 29 rounds and made eight lineup appearances, including the 2022 Big Ten Championship. She produced a then-career-best 219 (+3) to tie for 30th at the Westbrook Spring Invitational (Feb. 27-28). She tied for fifth individually with a 222 to help Nebraska's "B" lineup to the team title at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational (Sept. 20-21). 

Takahashi earned a lineup spot to open her college career at the 2021 Wolverine Invitational (Sept. 13-14). She closed the fall with three straight lineup appearances, including a tie for 18th (226) at The Molly Collegiate and a tie for 25th (224) at the White Sands Intercollegiate. 

One of the top young golfers in Colombia, Velez spent the 2021 spring semester in Lincoln after having her initial arrival to campus delayed by COVID-19 restrictions in the fall of 2020. In her collegiate debut, Velez helped Nebraska's "B" lineup to the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational title by producing a top-20 individual finish with three rounds of 75 (225, +9).

Hassert is a two-time Austrian Junior Stroke Play champion and a German National Championship runner-up (2017). She made her college debut in NU's five-player lineup at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational (Sept. 20-21).

Sutherland Leads Huskers
After spending a season as associate head coach, Jeanne Sutherland was named the new Nebraska Head Coach on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Sutherland came to Nebraska after spending 10 seasons (2011-21) as the head coach at SMU. She previously spent 15 seasons as the head coach at Texas A&M (1992-2007).

In 2018, Sutherland was named the inaugural winner of the WGCA Kim Evans Award. She also earned the WGCA Founders Award in 2017. A four-time conference coach of the year at Texas A&M (3 Big 12, 1 Southwest Conference), Sutherland was also a two-time NCAA Regional Coach of the Year (1997, 2007). She led 13 Texas A&M teams to NCAA Regional play, including four NCAA Championship appearances in 1997 (17th), 2004 (24th), 2005 (22nd) and 2006 (19th). 

In her head coaching career, Sutherland has guided 18 teams to NCAA Regional appearances. She has coached three individual All-Americans, five individual conference champions and three conference players of the year.

Huskers Split Home Double-Dual

Lincoln, Neb. - JoJo Randby powered herself to victory in the 100 breaststroke to help the Nebraska swimming and diving team defeat South Dakota, 222-78, in the double-dual at the Devaney Center Natatorium on Saturday. The Huskers move to 3-1 on the year, after falling to the talented Minnesota crew, 203-96.

Swimming a 1:04.63, Randby finished ahead of Minnesota's Emma Lezer, who placed in the top 20 of this event at the 2021-22 NCAA Championships.

A day after capturing two individual titles, freshman Gena Jorgenson pitched in three top-three finishes, with a pair of runner-up finishes in the 1,000 freestyle (10:15.03) and the 200 IM (2:09.35). She added a third-place finish in the 500 freestyle with a 5:03.16.

Jorgenson finished behind Minnesota's Megan Van Berkom, the 2022 400 IM Big Ten Champion and school record holder in the 200 IM. Van Berkom added another win in the 200 butterfly on Saturday.

Shannon Stott and Sarah Barton rounded out the top three in the 200 butterfly, with Stott clocking a 2:05.08 to finish second and Barton swimming a 2:07.04 to take third. In the 500 freestyle, Stott added a runner-up finish with a 5:01.87.

Lexi Kucera pitched in top finishes in the 100 and 200 freestyle events, finishing third (52.19) and second (1:52.65), respectively. Minnesota's Hannah Cornish walked away with titles in both events.

Madesyn Ronquillio continued her success in the backstroke events, taking second in the 200 backstroke with a 2:03.84 and third in the 100 backstroke with a 56.81.

Kelsey Clairmont put up an impressive performance in the diving well, notching a pair of Zone cuts with her runner-up finish in the three-meter (300.85) and a third-place finish in the one-meter (277.55).

In the relays, Kucera teamed with Gabby Donahue, Giulia Marchi and Emily Haimes for a runner-up finish in the 400 freestyle relay. Kucera, Donahue and Haimes also swam in the 200 medley relay, along with Randby for a third-place effort with a 1:45.74.

Next, the Huskers will travel to Iowa City, Iowa on Friday, Oct. 21 to take on the Hawkeyes at 4 p.m.

Nebraska 222, South Dakota 78
Nebraska 96, Minnesota 203
Saturday, Oct. 15 2022
Lincoln, Neb. (Devaney Center Natatorium)

Nebraska Champions       
100 Breast - JoJo Randby (1:04.63)

Huskers Defeat Bulldogs in Season Opener

Charleston, S.C.- The No. 11 Nebraska rifle team won its first match of the season against the No. 19 Citadel Bulldogs on Saturday, behind a record performance by freshman Emma Rhode. The final score was 4,703-4,624.

Four Huskers placed in the top five overall, led by Rhode, who placed first with a score of 1,187. She was followed by freshman Vittoria Watts in second (1,178), junior Madelynn Erickson in third (1,176) and freshman Camilla Johannessen in fourth (1,162). 

"The team did an excellent job," said Head Coach Mindy Miles. "There are points to pick up for everyone for tomorrow, but they know what they need to be mindful of tomorrow. Emma Rhode had an outstanding debut- a 590 smallbore and 597 air is absolutely phenomenal, and we are very proud of her. Tori also had a great aggregate. Maddie took off right where she left off last season with a 587 smallbore. It is a great match when the team comes within a couple points of the school record on the first match. I can't wait to see what this season holds for these amazing student-athletes."

In the smallbore, Rhode led the Huskers in first place (590). She was joined in the top five by Erickson (second, 587) and Watts (third, 584).

Rhode also placed first in the air rifle with a score of 597. This score ties the Nebraska air rifle record that is also held by Rachel Martin, Hannah Virga, Elena Flake, Emily Cheramie and Cecelia Ossi. Watts followed in second place (594) and Erickson (589) and Johannessen (588) rounded them out in fourth and fifth, respectively. 

Nebraska will face No 17. Georgia Southern tomorrow at 12 p.m. central. 

Huskers Grab First After Second Day in Ohio

Struthers, Ohio – The Nebraska bowling team went 5-0 on Saturday to claim the top spot heading into the final day of competition at the Motiv Penguin Classic. The Huskers finished the day with a pinfall of 5,081 and an overall record of 9-1.
 
In the first match of the day, the Huskers faced Valparaiso, winning 873-871. The Huskers then defeated No. 6 Arkansas State (1,041-984), No. 13 Duquesne (986-971), Walsh (1,100-856) and No. 21 Central Missouri (1,081-944) to wrap up the day's competition. 
 
Four Huskers currently sit in the top 20 of the individual standings after today's five traditional matches. Freshman Jillian Martin is tied for third with a pinfall of 1,116. Seniors Crystal Elliott is in ninth (1,046), Kendyl Hofmeister is in 11th (1,042) and Amara Smith Speights is in 18th (1,008). 
 
NU will resume play tomorrow morning with three traditional matches starting at 7:25 a.m. (CT), followed by one best-of-seven Baker match. 

Motiv Penguin Classic Current Standings (Pinfall after second day of competition)
No. 3 Nebraska – 10,259
No. 9 Youngstown State – 10,180
No. 6 Arkansas State – 10,178
No. 13 Duquesne – 9,825
Mercyhurst – 9,804
Medaille – 9,651
No. 21 Central Missouri – 9,638
No. 19 Morgan State – 9,371
St. Francis (PA) – 9,148
No. 20 Lewis – 9,125
Valparaiso – 8,996
Wright State – 8,421
Aurora – 8,233
Walsh – 8,134

Hietaranta, Mueller Clinch Spot in Round of 8 at ITA Regionals

Fayetteville, Ark. - Roni Hietaranta and Calvin Mueller both advanced into the Round of 8 to finish the third day of the ITA Regional Championships held at the Billingsley Tennis Center in Arkansas. This is the second-straight year the Huskers have sent a player to the Round of 8, with William Gleason doing so last year when the event was hosted at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center.

Following a pair of wins on Thursday and a win on Friday, Mueller bested Oklahoma State's Carl Roothman, 6-0, 6-1 to advance into Round of 8 play tomorrow. The Bruchkoebl, Germany native earned his team-leading fourth singles win of the tournament and will do battle with Alejandro Garcia of the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m.

Hietaranta will join Mueller in the Round of 8 after a three-set thriller against Drake's Jeremy Schifris, which he won, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (2). A year after his 22-win season with the Huskers, the Lappeenranta, Finland native meets Nathan Han of the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

On the tournament, Nebraska now has 12 wins in singles play which is the most they've had in fall competition this year. Every Husker has a win in singles play this season that has participated in at least one match. 

In doubles play, all three duos won their opening-round matchup including a pair of tie-breaker wins to begin the morning. However, all three teams fell just short in the second contest, eliminating the Huskers from the doubles draw. 

Stay up to date with the action by following the Nebraska men's tennis Twitter and Instagram accounts, @huskermtennis.

Singles Draw:

Round of 128:
R128: Rudi Christiansen (NEB) def. Alejandro Gandini (Creighton) 6-3, RET [inj]
R128: Lars Johann (NEB) def. Daniel Green (UNO) 7-6 (6), 6-2
R128: Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Reid Jarvis (Drake) 6-4, 7-5

Round of 64:
R64: Roni Hietaranta (NEB) def. Ignacio Vinas (Oral Roberts) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
R64: Lars Johann (NEB) def. Daniel Siddall (Tulsa) 6-3, 7-6 (5)
R64: Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. Gustavo Pinho (Oral Roberts) 6-3, 6-2
R64: Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Adham Gaber (Tulsa) 0-6, 7-6 (5), 6-0
R64: Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB) def. Markus Bolin (Drake) 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
R64: Alan Sau (Arkansas) def. Rudi Christiansen (NEB) 6-3, 7-6 (4)
R64: Leighton Allen (Oklahoma State) def. William Gleason (NEB) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1

Round of 32:
R32: Roni Hietaranta (NEB) def. Oliver Johansson (Drake) 6-4, 6-4
R32: Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Justin Schlageter (Oklahoma) 6-4, 6-3
R32: Chase Ferguson (Oklahoma State) def. Lars Johann (NEB) 6-1, 7-5
R32: Alessio Basile (Oklahoma State) def. Shunya Maruyama (NEB) 7-5, 6-4
R32: Connor Di Marco (Tulsa) def. Nic Wiedenhorn (NEB) 6-2, 6-1

Round of 16:
R16: Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Carl Roothman (Oklahoma State) 6-0, 6-1
R16: Roni Hietaranta (NEB) def. Jeremy Schifris (Drake) 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (2)

Consolation Play:
Shin Inoue (Creighton) def. William Gleason (NEB) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles Draw:

Round of 32:
R32: William Gleason/Calvin Mueller (NEB) def. Anton Punete/Carlos Rodriguez-Gonzalez (Lindenwood) 8-5
R32: Lars Johann/Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. Nikita Snezhko/Gerhard Sullwald (North Dakota) 8-7 (5)
R32: Rudi Christiansen/Roni Hietaranta (NEB) def. Daniel Siddall/Gus Tettamble (Tulsa) 8-7 (6)

Round of 16:
R16: Alan Sau/Adrien Burdet (Arkansas) def. Lars Johann/Shunya Maruyama (NEB) 8-2
R16: Connor Di Marco/Timothy Carlsson Seger (Tulsa) def. William Gleason/Calvin Mueller (NEB) 8-5
R16: Baptiste Anselmo/Justin Schlageter (Oklahoma) def. Rudi Christiansen/Roni Hietaranta (NEB) 8-2