WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Grace's women's tennis team took the first step towards a Crossroads League tournament title with a 7-0 win over Goshen on Tuesday. The Lancers, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, held firm control of the match from start to finish.

Grace (7-2, 6-2 CL) started off getting the all-important doubles point to get the day started. Jimena Ramirez and Alejandra Sandoval paired together at No. 1 doubles, gaining the early momentum with a 6-2 win. Molli Runestad and Natalie Schoenherr followed them up with a 6-1 effort to give the home team the first point. Geraldine Salinas and Lydia Ruegsegger capped off the morning 7-5 after the team point had been clinched.

The Lancers didn't leave anything in doubt, taking all six of the singles matches to complete the sweep. 

The first two points from the singles courts went to Grace with both matches being handled with relative ease. Runestad blanked her opponent 6-0, 6-0 to increase the lead to two. Schoenherr dropped just one game in her 6-1, 6-0 victory.

Ramirez landed the decisive point from the top spot in the lineup. She went 6-3, 6-3 to officially give Grace the victory.

Sandoval needed a little extra time before she came out on top 6-0, 7-6(5). 

The final two matches of the day required a tiebreaker to determine a winner. In both cases, the Lancers had to battle from behind to force extra tennis. Salinas went 3-6, 7-5, 10-6. Ruegsegger finished the rout with a 3-6, 6-4, 10-6 to secure all available points.

With the win, Grace advances to the semifinals on Thursday. Awaiting them in the next round is Marian, the No. 2 seed in the tournament. The match is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. in Indianapolis.


DOUBLES - 132

Ramirez/Sandoval def. Bodo/Nino, 6-2
Salinas/Ruegsegger def. Otin/Dotsenko, 7-5
Runestad/Schoenherr def. Mosquera/Priebe, 6-1

SINGLES - 651324

Jimena Ramirez def. Bodo, 6-3, 6-3
Geraldine Salinas def. Dotsenko, 3-6, 7-5, 10-6
Alejandra Sandoval def. Nino, 6-0, 7-6(5)
Lydia Ruegsegger def. Otin, 3-6, 6-4, 10-6
Natalie Schoenherr def. Priebe, 6-1, 6-0
Molli Runestad def. Lapp, 6-0, 6-0