By Chad Hensley, NKU Sports Information

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Northern Kentucky University women’s team began the season Friday at the Queen City Racquet and Fitness Club with a 9-0 loss to Abilene Christian University.

The Wildcats, who have one of the best programs in all of NCAA Division II over the last two decades, are currently ranked 7th in Division II, according to the ITA College Rankings. ACU also defeated the University of Cincinnati on Friday by a score of 7-0 to run its record to 6-0 on the season.

The day wasn’t a total loss for NKU (0-1) as Stephanie Isaacs won the first set 7-6 over Jaclyn Walker in No. 2 singles flight action. Walker, the No. 44-ranked singles player in the country, came back to win the second set 6-1 before grinding out a hard-fought third set, 10-8.

The Norse will be back in action March 9 against Charleston (W.Va.) during their annual spring break trip to Hilton Head, S.C.

No. 7 Abilene Christian 9, Northern Kentucky 0
Feb. 22, 2008; Cincinnati, Ohio

Doubles
Aina Rafolomanantsiatosika/Meagan Brown (ACU) def. Stephanie Isaacs/Kristen Sunday (NKU), 8-1
Irene Squillaci/Dina Pavlin (ACU) def. Emily Okerson/Michelle Schirmann (NKU), 8-3
Lauren White/Jaclyn Walker (ACU) def. Patricia Brinck/Maggie Koetter (NKU), 8-3

Singles
Aina Rafolomanantsiatosika (ACU) def. Patricia Brinck (NKU) 6-1, 6-2
Jaclyn Walker (ACU) def. Stephanie Isaacs (NKU) 6-7, 6-1, 10-8
Meagan Brown (ACU) def. Kristen Sunday (NKU) 6-2, 6-3
Dina Pavlin (ACU) def. Michelle Schirmann (NKU) 6-2, 6-0
Alexsandra Vucic (ACU) def. Emily Okerson (NKU) 7-6, 6-0
Natalie Friend (ACU) def. Ivana Misic (NKU) 6-0, 6-1