Huskers Gain Four for 2016-17

With the opening of the early NLI signing period on Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Nebraska women’s tennis team added four members to its 2016-17 roster. These additions will help replace three 2015-16 seniors, keeping the Huskers steady with a well-rounded team for years to come. 

Jeannie Lozowski

One of four new recruits joining the Huskers in the fall of 2016 will be Jeannie Lozowski from Port Saint Lucie, Fla. Ranked No. 73 nationally, and a five star recruit, Lozowski will be a major addition to the Nebraska women’s tennis team. "Jeannie is a really big hitter off both her forehand and her backhand side,” Head Coach Scott Jacobson said. “We were incredibly impressed with her ability to pop her serve and finish off the ground. Her forehand is a tremendous weapon, which allows her to strike a winner from pretty much anywhere off the baseline. There may be only a handful of individuals entering college tennis in 2016 that strike it as heavy as Jeannie does. In addition she is a tremendous competitor, totally committed to the concept of team first. We are humbled by her decision to become a member of our Husker family and are looking forward to a tremendous college career moving forward.”

M'Balia Bangoura

Another Florida signee on Wednesday was M’Balia Bangoura from Bradenton, Fla. M’Balia was named the Female Athlete of the Year for her academy in 2015 and will prove to be a key component to competition play next season.  Bangoura is presently a 5 star recruit and ranked 56 nationally. "M'Balia strikes a very clean ball off both sides of the court,” Jacobson said. “M'Balia has been well schooled, plays incredibly smart and truly does have ice in her veins.  M'Balia will hit out in pressure situations, and never stops believing. In addition we were very impressed with her playing schedule and the number of tournaments she is constantly competing in. Tournament play is the fastest way to grow your game and as of today she has played 80 matches in tournament competition in 2015. Competing this often is a direct reflection of her passion and desire to grow her game and her understanding of what it takes to be great. We are privileged to have such a gifted young lady so dedicated to the game entering our Husker family."

Hayley Haakenstad

The Huskers also added a pair of Midwest talents in Hayley Haakenstad and Emma Worley. Haakenstad, who hails from Chanhassen, Minn., was ranked No. 2 in the state for singles play in 2014 and served as a leader for her high school tennis team.  Haakenstad is presently ranked 92 nationally and a 4 star athlete. "Hayley just won the 2015 Class 2A (largest class) state high school singles championship two weeks ago and she did so in dominating fashion, not dropping a set,” Jacobson said. “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to watch her compete and it made me even more excited to have her as a member of our program. Hayley has a unique style of play that is exciting to observe. She has the ability to chip and charge, serve and volley, return and volley, draw you forward with a drop shot, and/or remain patient off the ground. Not many entering college tennis in the class of 2016 have the ability and the diversity in their game that Hayley possesses. She is going to be incredibly exciting to coach and work with. In addition Hayley is an amazing person, selfless in nature, yet passionate as a competitor. We feel very fortunate by her decision to become a member of our Husker family.”

 Emma Worley

Emma Worley is a native of Northville, Mich. and is a three star recruit, was named to the 2015 girl’s all-state tennis team by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches’ Association and will prove to be formidable competitor for the Huskers. “Emma reached out to our Husker family less than two months ago and we were incredibly impressed first and foremost by the person that she obviously was and her tremendous desire and passion for the game,” Jacobson said. “In addition it was evident by her results in college ITA segments over the summer that the upside for Emma was tremendous. She has had some very impressive results against both players already competing at the Division I level and those entering college in 2016. On her visit, it was evident that she fits the mold perfectly as to what we desire in a student-athlete here at Nebraska. Emma is a "teamer" through and through. As for her style…she is a grinder off the baseline, with tremendous temperament and a never give up attitude. She is going to be a tremendous asset and competitor for our Husker family and we couldn't be more proud of her decision to join our Husker family.”

With these four additions, coaches Scott Jacobson and German Dalmagro are excited about the future of their program. "Our Husker Tennis program just got a lot bigger and a lot better with the addition of 4 tremendously gifted tennis players and people," Coach Jacobson said.

Extreme talent and the state-of-the-art Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center will continue to lead the team through competition play and in life as they grow to become a large part of the Nebraska community.