Creighton University
Hastings
Tennis Coach Tom Lilly Becomes All-Time Career Wins Leader at CU
2/21/2015 7:06:00 PM | Women's Tennis
OMAHA, Neb. – Creighton tennis coach Tom Lilly became the all-time career wins leader at the school after directing the women's team to a 7-0 win over Hastings on Saturday afternoon at the Hanscom Tennis Center.
The Bluejays' victory gave Lilly win No. 348 at Creighton to pass his predecessor and former CU tennis head coach Ed Hubbs. On Friday night, the Creighton men's team moved Lilly into a tie with Hubbs following a 7-0 victory over North Dakota.
Both home victories took place at the Hanscom Tennis Center where Hubbs is the Recreation Coordinator. Lilly played for Hubbs on the Creighton men's team in the early 1990's. In 1997 Lilly took over the program from his mentor after Hubbs accepted a job with the City of Omaha as tennis coordinator.
“I have always had a great deal of respect for Coach (Ed) Hubbs,” said Lilly. “He was a great coach for a long time at Creighton. We remain friends and he has taught me a lot.
“The number of wins means that I have had a lot of fantastic players while coaching two teams at the same time. I hope to improve every day.”
To make the day even more special, all 11 Creighton women saw the court Saturday to participate in the historic victory. The total marks the most players to participate in a match under the direction of Lilly.
Creighton (4-7) rolled to a 7-0 victory over Hastings (0-4).
The Bluejays opened by sweeping the doubles results with three 6-1 decisions. Senior Liz Vermillion and junior Sam Anderson won on court one. Junior Karlin Naslund and freshman Darby Rosette cruised to victory at No. 2 singles and senior Amanda Noonan and sophomore Simone Hussussian finished the sweep on court three.
Vermillion was the only Bluejay to play both singles and doubles. She won convincingly at No. 4 singles 6-0, 6-0.
Fellow senior Jennie Hartjes also recorded a double-bagel decision on court one and claimed the team match point in Lilly's milestone win.
Freshman Ashley Monaco and sophomore Lauran Renjard also won without surrendering a game on courts five and six, respectively.
Freshman Natalie Miller was the first off the court with a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles.
Sophomore Katherine Nelsen claimed victory at the No. 2 position 6-2, 6-1.
Creighton opens BIG EAST play with a home match against St. John's at noon on Thursday.
Hastings at Creighton
Feb. 21, 2015 at Omaha, Neb.
(Hanscom Tennis Center)
Creighton 7, Hastings 0
Singles
1. Jennie Hartjes (CU) def. Madison Fortunato (HC) 6-0, 6-0
2. Katherine Nelsen (CU) def. Liz Harlow (HC) 6-2, 6-1
3. Natalie Miller (CU) def. Maddi Shelton (HC) 6-1, 6-1
4. Liz Vermillion (CU) def. Brenna Obermier (HC) 6-0, 6-0
5. Ashley Monaco (CU) def. Molly Mitchell (HC) 6-0, 6-0
6. Lauran Renjard (CU) def. Abby Schmitz (HC) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1. Sam Anderson/Vermillion (CU) def. Harlow/Shelton (HC) 6-1
2. Darby Rosette/Karlin Naslund (CU) def. Obermier/Fortunato (HC) 6-1
3. Amanda Noonan/Simone Hussussian (CU) def. Mitchell/Jessica Zach (HC) 6-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,4,1*,5,2,6)
Players Mentioned
