May 28, 2011

NCAA Doubles Championships
Site: Stanford, Calif. (Taube Family Tennis Center)
Next NU Event: Season Complete

Tournament Central

STANFORD, Calif. -- After a great start in the NCAA Doubles Championships, Northwestern's Linda Abu Mushrefova and Nida Hamilton looked to extend their championship hopes on Saturday with a trip to the semifinals on the line, but California's top-seeded tandem of Mari Andersson and Jana Juricova were too much to overcome for the 'Cats who fell in two sets, 6-2, 6-1.

"It was a tough day overall," said NU head coach Claire Pollard. "Going up against the No. 1 doubles team in the country is a difficult task. We had some bad breaks here and there, but it's a match we can learn from for next year to help accomplish our goals."

Things started off right for the 'Cats in the first game. Hamilton was first to serve and held with great placement, throwing Juricova off balance at times. The 'Cats held serve and took an impressive 1-0 lead in the first. But as things progressed, Cal had an answer to almost everything else NU threw at them. Andersson and Juricova took the next three games and six of seven to claim the first set, 6-2.

Unfortunately, that trend continued for the Bears. In the first game of the second set, Hamilton once again held serve with Abu Mushrefova helping by creating some great opportunities and finishing excellent shots. But Cal quickly stole the final six games of the set to take the match in just over an hour, 6-2, 6-1.

As underclassmen, Abu Mushrefova, a sophomore, and Hamilton, a freshman, finish the year with a 19-8 record as a team. The pair played all but three team dual matches together at the No. 1 position, helping Northwestern to a 22-8 (9-1 Big Ten) record and a Big Ten Tournament title.

NCAA Doubles Championships Quarterfinals Results
No. 1 Mari Andersson and Jana Juricova def. No. 12 Linda Abu Mushrefova/Nida Hamilton (NU) 6-2, 6-1

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