WINONA LAKE, Ind. - The women's tennis squad opened up the season with a Crossroads League doubleheader at home on Saturday. Facing off against Bethel and No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan, the Lady Lancers come up short falling 5-2 and 6-1.

Grace (0-2, 0-2 CL) started out the morning on a high note taking a pair of doubles sets to earn the first point of the match. Lydia Ruegsegger and Kiersten Martin teamed up to win No. 1 doubles 7-6 (3). Hallie Mast and Gretchen Adams combined to take No. 3 doubles 6-4.

In singles matchups, Anna Graves tallied the lone point for the Lady Lancers. She knocked off her opponent at No. 1 singles 7-5, 6-3. Ruegsegger nearly added a second singles point, falling in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 5-10.

That would prove to be enough as the Pilots went on to earn the remaining points to secure the 5-2 victory.

After dropping the doubles point, the Lady Lancers faced an uphill battle against No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan. The matchup of the day happened at No. 1 singles where Graves came back to win 2-6, 6-3, 10-5. Her win was the highlight of the afternoon as the Wildcats were too strong and pulled away to finish off the match 6-1.

"Anna Graves played an epic match," said coach Emily Ackerman. "It was a huge win for her against a top opponent."

The Lancers will be at home again on Wednesday to face off against Saint Francis and Mount Vernon Nazarene. The first match is scheduled for 9:30am.
 
BETHEL MATCH
DOUBLES

1. Ruegsegger/Martin def. Heckman/Mikhailova, 7-6 (3)
2. Rinkenberger/Calderone def. Graves/Jarvis, 6-3
3. Mast/Adams def. Jojo/Matins, 6-4

1. Graves def. Mikhailova, 7-5, 6-3
2. Pena def. Ruegsegger 3-6, 6-4, 10-5
3. Heckman def. Martin 7-5, 6-3
4. Calderone def. Jarvis, 6-1, 6-1
5. Jojo def. Mast 6-1, 6-1
6. Rinkenberger def. Adams 6-1, 6-0

1. Antezana/Ducksler def Martin/Ruegsegger, 6-3
2. Barger/Munoz def. Martin/Jarvis, 6-0
3. Dubuque/Mellinger def. Mast/Adams, 6-4

1. Graves def. Antezana, 2-6, 6-3, 10-5
2. Munoz def. Reugsegger, 6-1, 6-0
3. Ducksler def. Martin, 6-0, 6-0
4. Barger def. Jarvis 6-1, 6-2
5. Snider def. Mast, 6-1, 6-0
6. Way def. Adams, 6-1, 6-0