WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's tennis team played a doubleheader on Saturday to officially open up the 2020-21 campaign.
The Lady Lancers began the day with an impressive 6-1 win over Bethel. Later in the day, Marian handed Grace a defeat by the score of 5-2 at Miller Athletic Complex.
The Crossroads League has arranged the schedule to be played in a series of doubleheaders, and Saturday was the first round of doubleheaders.
In the opener, Grace clinched the match in singles. Two freshmen (Ellie Hughes, Anna Graves) started their collegiate careers with wins. Hughes won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 singles, and Graves won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5.
Dayana Ortega (No. 3 singles), Morgan Mast (No. 4) and Kiersten Martin (No. 6) also picked up victories in singles.
All three duos were victorious in doubles' play. Armstrong and Ortega battled to a 7-6 (3) win at the top doubles' court, and Martin and Gretchen Adams teamed up to win 6-1 at No. 3.
Lauryn Riegsecker made her Grace debut with a win at No. 2 doubles, teaming up with Hughes to win 6-1.
Grace did not find as much success against Marian in the afternoon. The Knights gained an early edge by sweeping the doubles' courts.
The singles' matches were hotly contested, but Marian pulled out enough wins to grab the overall head-to-head victory.
Ortega did win 6-3, 7-6 at No. 3 singles, and Riegsecker won 7-6, 6-1 at No. 6.
The Lady Lancers will travel to Spring Arbor, Mich., on Tuesday for a doubleheader against St. Francis and Spring Arbor.
MATCH #1 vs BETHEL
SINGLES
1. Armstrong lost to Haley 6-2, 9-11
2. Hughes def. Runestad 6-1, 6-3
3. Ortega def. Jojo 6-4, 6-0
4. Mast def. Moore 6-4, 6-0
5. Graves def. Crouse 6-0, 6-1
6. Martin def. Heckaman 6-1, 4-6, 16-14
*(Exh) Adams def. Pope 6-1, 6-2
*(Exh) Jarvis def. Kirkham 6-3, 6-0
DOUBLES
1. Armstrong/Ortega def. Haley/Jojo 7-6 (3)
2. Riegsecker/Hughes def. Runestad/Pope 6-1
3. Martin/Adams def. Heckaman/Hothow 6-1
MATCH #2 vs MARIAN
SINGLES
1. Armstrong lost to Dusele 7-6 (7), 6-1
2. Hughes lost to Kuebler 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. Ortega def. Simion 6-3, 7-6
4. Mast lost to Elpers 6-1, 6-3
5. Graves lost to Lewis 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
6. Riegsecker def. McClure 6-7, 1-6
DOUBLES
1. Armstrong/Ortega lost to Simion/Kuebler 7-6 (4)
2. Huges/Riegsecker lost to Dusele/Provine 6-1
3. Mast/Martin lost to Lewis/Haygood 6-2
