HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i kicked off its spring season with some competitive juice, but it wasn't enough to take down No. 7 Duke in a 6-1 loss  Saturday at the UH Tennis Complex.

 

Despite the result, UH proved competitive against a national title contender. The Blue Devils featured four nationally ranked singles players—including two players in the Top 25—as well as the No 4 doubles team in the nation. Still, the Rainbow Wahine didn't back down and went toe-to-toe on numerous courts.

 

The day started with doubles action as Duke took all three matches for the first point. Still, UH set the tone with Barbara Pinterova and Katarina Poljakova extending the No. 4 doubles team of Ellah Nze and Nadine Fahoum in an 8-6 loss on the No. 1 court.

 

The Rainbow Wahine then dropped five of six matches in singles. UH's lone point came from Poljakova, who upset No. 43 Mary Clayton, 7-5, 7-5, on the No.3 court.  UH did not pick up any other wins but wouldn't back down against a pair of ranked players. Pinterova played hard before succumbing to No. 25  Fahoum, 6-4, 6-4, on the feature court, while senior Natasha Zorec battled No. 71 Elizabeth Plotkin in a 6-3, 7-5 loss.

 

The Rainbow Wahine will now have a few weeks off before hosting a pair of matches against San Francisco on Jan. 26 and 28 at the UH Tennis Complex.

 

 

1. No. 4 Ellah Nze/Nadine Fahoum (DU) def. Barbara Pinterova/Katarina Poljakova (UH) 8-6

2. No. 39 Monica Gorny/Mary Clayton (DU) def. Alyssa Nafarrete/Magdalena Ploch (UH) 8-2

3. Hanna Mar / Rachel Kahan (DU) def. Natasha Zorec/Aglae Van den Bergh (UH) 8-4

 

1. No. 25 Nadine Fahoum (DU) def. Barbara Pinterova (UH) 6-4, 6-4

2. No. 4 Reka Zsilinszka (DU) def. Magdalena Ploch (UH) 6-2, 6-1

3. Katarina Poljakova def. No. 43 Mary Clayton (DU) 7-5, 7-5

4. No. 71 Elizabeth Plotkin (DU) def. Natasha Zorec (UH) 6-3, 7-5

5. Hanna Mar (DU) def. Alyssa Nafarrete (UH) 6-2, 6-0

6. Monica Gorny (DU) def. Algae Van den Bergh (UH) 6-2, 6-3