ORLANDO, FL. – The University of Northwestern women's tennis team competed in Thursday morning action at Oak Street Community Park when they met up with nonconference opponent, Saint Ambrose University (Iowa). In what marked the Eagle's final competition of spring break play, the Eagles came from behind to sweep all three doubles matches and record a 5-4 win. Northwestern improves to 4-4 on the year and finished competition in Orlando with a 2-2 mark.
Singles action was played first on Tuesday as
Jessica Gross (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) and
Ashlyn Hughes (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) were the lone Eagles to record wins. Gross fought to third set tiebreaker win after taking set one 6-4, falling in the second 6-1, but coming back to record an 11-9 tiebreak victory. Hughes extendedher win streak to seven, downing her opponent at no. 6 singles 6-0, 6-0.
Down 2-4 heading into doubles play, the Eagles cranked out three wins to steal the match win.
Shawna Spears (Thief River Falls, Minn./Lincoln) and
Mafee Rinta (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) battled to an 8-7 (8-6) tiebreak win, while
Belinda Weddle (Rhinelander, Wis./Rhinelander) and
Jessica Gross (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) cruised to an 8-3 win at no. 2. The no. 3 duo of
Sabrina Bush (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) and
Taylar Smith (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) fought to an 8-7 (13-11) tiebreak win.
The Eagles will return to action on Friday, March 20 when they take on Marian University at Lifetime Fitness in White Bear Lake. Match play is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Follow the Eagles online this season at
www.unweagles.com or on Instagram at @unw_tennis.
