LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's tennis team suffered a 7-0 setback on Saturday afternoon, falling to Louisville at Bass Rudd Tennis Center to close its opening weekend of play.
 
The Cardinals came away with the doubles point despite a 6-4 win from the duo of Sierra Nellessen and Sydney Power over Louisville's Jessie Lynn Paul and Elle Stokes at the No. 3 spot. The victory was Nellessen and Power's second-straight victory to open the season.
 
Klara Skopac and Danielle Donahue fought a tough battle against nationally ranked competition at No. 1 doubles, falling to the No. 54 duo of Sena Suswam and Ariana Rodriguez 7-6 after dropping a tie-breaker 7-4.
 
In singles competition, Donahue cruised to a 6-0 set one victory, before dropping a tight 11-9 tie-breaker following a second-set loss to Stokes at No. 2 singles.
 
The Norse (1-1) will take a couple weeks off before returning to the court Friday, Feb. 5 against Horizon League foe Wright State.

Louisville 7, Northern Kentucky 0
Singles results
1. Sena Suswam (UL) def. Klara Skopac (NKU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Elle Stokes (UL) def. Danielle Donahue (NKU) 0-6, 6-4, 11-9
3. Abbie Pahz (UL) def. Sydney Power (NKU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Jessie Lynn Paul (UL) def. Hailey Shanahan (NKU) 6-3, 6-0
5. Olivia Boesing (UL) def. Nicole Soutar (NKU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Ariana Rodriguez (UL) def. Sierra Nellessen (NKU) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles results
1. No. 54 Sena Suswam/Ariana Rodriguez (UL) def. Klara Skopac/Danielle Donahue (NKU) 7-6 (7-4)
2. Abbie Pahz/Olivia Boesing (UL) def. Hailey Shanahan/Nicole Soutar (NKU) 6-1
3. Sierra Nellessen/Sydney Power (NKU) def. Jessie Lynn Paul/Elle Stokes (UL) 6-4