ST. PETER, Minn. - The University of Northwestern women's tennis team competed at the Gustavus Adolphus Fall Invite this past weekend. Amid tough competition, the Eagles showcased a strong performance as several rookies competed for the first time. The Invite served as UNW's only fall competition.
 
View the complete Fall Invite results page HERE.
 
In addition to the main draw, the Fall Invite also featured 2 through 8 draw singles and 1 and 2 draw doubles competition. Each bracket acted as a standalone tournament, featuring a consolation round.

Sophomore Belinda Weddle (Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander) found success in 2 draw action, defeating Kinsey Kessel of Edgwood, 8-1 in round one. Weddel would fall to UW-Whitewater's, Molly Reuth, in her second match who went on to win the bracket.
 
Junior Shawna Spears (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) recorded multiple wins for the Eagles in the #3 draw. Spears recorded an 8-1 win over Gustavus' Hannah Gronseth and proceeded to defeat Brianna Bell of Concordia (6-2, 6-0). Spears run would come to an end after falling to Katie Kearney of UW-Lacrosse in a tight third set tiebreaker.
 
In the #4 draw, Mafee Rinta (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) fell in the first round, but came back to win multiple matches in the consolation bracket. Rinta defeated Elizabeth Johnson of Concordia (8-4) and St. Thomas's Anna Miller (8-0) before falling in a close 8-6 consolation finals match.
 
Also picking up a singles win at the Fall Invite was sophomore Ashlyn Hughes (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock). Hughes fell in the first round of the #6 draw, but came back to defeat Sophia Craig of Coe College in the consolation round, 8-1. Freshman Taylar Smith () took the same route, falling in round one of the #8 draw – but recording an 8-3 win over St. Mary's Maddie Dosser in the consolation bracket.
 
The doubles duo of Shawna Spears (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) and Mafee Rinta (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) received a first round bye and followed up by taking down a pair from Concordia (8-3) in second round doubles.

 The Northwestern women's tennis team will begin their offseason before spring competition kicks off in late January. Stay up to date with UNW tennis this year by visiting www.unweagles.com