Penguins ousted by Buckeyes in first round

Buckeyes advance to meet UCLA today

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The Youngstown State women’s tennis team dropped a 4-0 decision to fourth-seeded Ohio State on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Championships.

Ohio State took the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2.

At No. 1, Annina Brendel and Noelly Nsimba dropped a 6-1 decision to Gabriella De Santis and Sandy Niehaus. The Buckeyes’ top duo was ranked 58th in the country. At No. 2, Sofia Macias and Dominika Lackova fell 6-2 to Francesca Di Lorenzo and Olivia Sneed.

In singles play, the Penguins hung tough against a lineup that featured four nationally-ranked players.

OSU won decisions at No 6, 2 and 4 to claim the victory.

At No. 6, Ana Stroe lost a 6-0, 6-0 contest to Olivia Sneed. At No. 2, Brendel lost 6-0, 6-1 to De Santis and at No. 4, Sofia Macias lost a 6-2, 6-0 decision to Ferny Paz.

At No. 1, Lackova hung tough with third-ranked Di Lorenzo trailing 6-1, 4-2 in her contest. At No. 3, Noelly Nsimba battled with Miho Kowase trailing 6-1, 3-2 when the match was clinched.

At No. 5, Nehel Sahni dropped a hard-fought first set to No. 81 Sandy Niehuas, 6-4, before tailing 4-1 in the second set. Sahni was leading 3-2 in the first before Niehaus scored the three of the final four points to grab the set.

The Penguins finish the year with a 12-13 record while Ohio State improves to 29-2. The Buckeyes will face UCLA in the second round today.