Box score (HTML)  I  Tournament Central

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 20-ranked Northeastern State women's tennis team defeated Nebraska-Kearney 5-1 Saturday afternoon in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Division II Championship at the Huether Tennis Centre.
 
The RiverHawks (22-5) ended the season for the Lopers (20-8) and will now face No. 33 Augustana College at noon May 3 in the NCAA Round of 32. The Vikings defeated Emporia State 5-0 in the first round. The winner of Sunday's match will advance to the NCAA Championship site, which is being held May 14-17 in Altamonte, Fla.
 
NSU started quick by taking two of the three doubles matches. Junior Barbora Jirickova and sophomore Kristina Savchenkov breezed past Kristin Weems and Emily Fink 8-0 on the second doubles court. Senior Martina Bruzikova and freshman Valeriia Efimenko fell behind 0-2 early but won the next eight games to take an 8-2 victory over Vanessa Gunawan and Kari Emery at the top of the order.
 
UNK's lone point of the match came at No. 3 doubles, where Paula Jimenez and Renee Hoekstra topped senior Houda Bellamine and freshman Maria Lodge 9-7.
 
Efimenko was the first off court during doubles play after she quickly earned a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Fink on the fourth court. Savchenkov, ranked No. 17 in the nation in singles, defeated Gunawan 6-2, 6-3 at the top of the lineup to give NSU a fourth point.
 
Bellamine clinched the victory for the RiverHawks at No. 2 singles with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Weems.
 
Jirickova was leading Britni Norfolk 6-3, 5-1 before the match was halted. Jirickova had match point on Norfolk, who was recently selected to the All-MIAA Singles First Team, while Jirickova was named All-MIAA Honorable Mention.
 
The other two matches went unfinished.
 
Tennis Match Results
May 03, 2014 at Sioux Falls, S.D.
(Huether Tennis Centre)
 
#20 Northeastern State 6, Nebraska-Kearney 1
                                                            
Singles Competition
1. #17 Kristina Savchenkov (NSU) def. Vanessa Gunawan (UNK) 6-2, 6-3
2. Houda Bellamine (NSU) def. Kristin Weems (UNK) 6-3, 6-4
3. Martina Bruzikova (NSU) vs. Paula Jimenez (UNK) 6-1, 5-2, unfinished
4. Valeriia Efimenko (NSU) def. Emily Fink (UNK) 6-1, 6-1
5. Barbora Jirickova (NSU) def. Britni Norfolk (UNK) 6-3, 5-1, unfinished
6. Lucia Cerchlanova (NSU) vs. Kari Emery (UNK) 6-7 (2-7), 1-2, unfinished
 
Doubles Competition
1. Martina Bruzikova/Valeriia Efimenko (NSU) def. Vanessa Gunawan/Kari Emery (UNK) 8-2
2. Barbora Jirickova/Kristina Savchenkov (NSU) def. Kristin Weems/Emily Fink (UNK) 8-0
3. Paula Jimenez/Renee Hoekstra (UNK) def. Houda Bellamine/Maria Lodge (NSU) 9-7
 
Match Notes:
Nebraska-Kearney 20-8
Northeastern State 22-5; National Ranking #20
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,1,2,5)
 
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