ST. PAUL, Minn. – It was a busy day at Johnson Tennis Complex as the University of Northwestern Women's Tennis team played a pair of matches against familiar opponents. Not only did the ladies battle the University of Wisconsin-Superior and Crown College, but also some strong winds despite exceptionally sunny skies. Northwestern battled tough with the Yellowjackets early in the day but fell 3-6, then turned around and swept the Polars, 9-0, in a non-conference match.
Match One: University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets
The day started on a high note for the purple and gold, as the #1 doubles team of
Annie Orvis (Rochester, Minn/Schaeffer Academy) and
Abby Johnson (Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool) picked up an 8-5 win over their opponents from conference foe, UW-Superior. The remaining two doubles matches were highly-competitive and both went to tiebreaks, but ultimately did not go Northwestern's way.
Rayna Baumgarn (Holmen, Wis./Holmen) and
Madeline Troolin (Cambridge, Minn./Homeschool) fell 7-8 (3-7) at #3 doubles just before the #2 team of
Elise Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) and
Analise Marquardt (Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie) lost a heartbreaker of their own, 7-8 (5-7). Now in a 1-2 hole, UNW would need to win four of the six singles matches to pull off the comeback.
Things appeared to be headed in the right direction as Johnson earned a 7-5, 7-5 win at #2 singles to tie the match at two, but the Yellowjackets punched right back. Orvis lost 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 at #1 singles, then Jarchow dropped her #3 match, 6-0, 3-6, 6-7 (3-7). Desperately needing a win at #4 singles to stay alive, Marquardt delivered. The junior won in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 to pull Northwestern within one at 4-3. Unfortunately for the Eagles, UWS delivered the dagger in the next match to conclude, #6 singles. Troolin lost 5-7, 2-6 as Superior clinched the win. The Yellowjackets made the margin larger with a three-set win at #5 singles over Baumgarn, 6-3, 2-6, 3-6. The 6-3 win for UW-Superior was its first ever against Northwestern.
Match Two: Crown College Polars
After a devastating loss that was a couple bounces from going Northwestern's way, the Eagles needed to regroup and rebound against a Crown College team they had already swept once, just over a week ago. As it turned out, they were up for the task.
Annie Orvis (Rochester, Minn/Schaeffer Academy) made quick work of her #1 singles opponent, winning 6-0, 6-0.
Abby Johnson (Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool) needed just one more set to win at #2 singles, 6-1, 6-0, but
Elise Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) (#3) and
Analise Marquardt (Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie) (#4) each earned 6-0, 6-0 sweeps.
Rayna Baumgarn (Holmen, Wis./Holmen) was victorious at #5 singles by a 6-1, 6-2 score, but that was the closest the Polars got to winning a singles match.
Madeline Troolin (Cambridge, Minn./Homeschool) won 6-1, 6-0 to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead entering doubles matches.
The dominance continued in doubles play as Orvis and Johnson teamed up for an 8-0 win in the #1 match. Jarchow and Marquardt matched them with an 8-0 win at #2 doubles, while Troolin and
Grace Buswell (Winona, Minn/Winona) took home an 8-3 win in the #3 spot to complete the 9-0 sweep over Crown for the second consecutive week.
Up Next
Northwestern will have a quick turnaround before it hosts St. Catherine University on Monday, April 15
th at 3:30 PM. The match was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was moved up one day to avoid potential inclement weather in Tuesday's forecast.
