ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Northwestern women's tennis team opened up spring break play on Monday at the USTA National Tennis Center. The Eagles met up with DeSales University Monday morning, falling in a 6-3 final before taking down Franciscan University, 5-4 in evening action.
DeSales 6, Northwestern 3
Northwestern's no. 1 doubles team of
Mafee Rinta (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) and
Shawna Spears (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) cruised to a dominant 8-0 win, but UNW would drop the remaining two doubles matches to give DeSales the edge.
It was the Eagles no. 4 and 6 singles players (
Belinda Weddle (Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander) and
Ashlyn Hughes (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock)) who each picked up a straight set win in singles play. Weddle cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 victory and Hughes won 6-1, 6-2.
Northwestern 5, Franciscan 4
The Eagles recorded their first win in Florida action after downing Franciscan in a 5-4 battle. With the win, UNW moves to 3-3 on the year. Northwestern recorded wins at no. 2 and 3 doubles Weddle and
Jessica Gross (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) at no. 2 and
Sabrina Bush (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) and
Taylar Smith (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) at no. 3.
Shawna Spears (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) and
Mafee Rinta (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) fell in third set tiebreakers, but Northwestern's no. 4 through 6 singles players would record straight set wins to lead the Eagles to victory.
Jessica Gross (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) won 6-2, 6-4 while
Sabrina Bush (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) dropped just a single game and
Ashlyn Hughes (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) posted a 6-3, 7-5 win. The victory marked Hughes fifth straight this season.
Northwestern will take on Ursinus College in Tuesday night play at Lake Cane Tennis Center. Keep up with UNW women's tennis in Orlanda at
www.unweagles.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @unwtennis.
