ST. PETER, Minn. - The University of Northwestern women's tennis team competed at the ITA Midwest Regional hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College this past weekend and the Eagles gave a very positive showing.
 
View the complete ITA results page HERE.
 
In singles play, senior Nikki Paskewitz (Staples, Minn./Staples-Motley) defeated Raquel Ruiz from Cornell, 6-2, 6-2. Paskewitz advanced in the singles main draw but fell to Samantha Ramsey (Carthage) in a three-setter. Paskewitz dropped the first set 6-0 but came back to win the second, 7-5 before falling in a third-set 6-4 battle.
 
In doubles action, Paskewitz and Emily Knight (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) teamed up to compete in the very competitive main draw. In round one, the pair dropped to a tough Gustavus team before coming back to defeat the duo from Concordia (WI) of Budewitz/Spiegelhoff, 8-3. The Eagles eventually dropped to a talented Saint Mary's team in the next round of consolation play.
 
In addition to the main draw, the ITA also featured B Draw singles and doubles competition. B Draw singles consisted of eight different 16-players draws that acted as standalone tournaments.

Sophomore Shawna Spears (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) found success in B Draw action, winning three straight matches to make it to the Championship in her draw, before falling in the finals.
 
Other players picking up multiple wins were Mafee Rinta (Hudson, Wis./Hudson), who lost in the first round but posted consecutive wins to make it back to the consolation championships before falling in the final. Gracie Lebrun suffered a first-match loss, but won her next three to be crowned the consolation winner of her draw – finishing the tournament 3-1 in singles play.
 
Spears and Rinta competed in the consolation doubles draw – falling in their first match but winning out to take the Consolation Championship of their draw.
 
Head Coach Matt Swigart recapped the weekend play stating, "Overall it was a great weekend of competing and spending time as a team, especially as a follow up to our great time at camp last weekend. My top players showed up and played very well making me excited for the main part of the season to start! Everyone left the weekend more aware of what they need to work on to be ready for the season, and it seems to me that they are all eager to put in the work to get ready."
 
The Northwestern women's tennis team will begin their offseason before spring competition kicks off in early February. Stay up to date with UNW tennis this year by visiting www.unweagles.com