ST. PAUL, Minn. – After a nearly last-minute schedule change, the University of Northwestern Women's Tennis team took the court one day earlier than scheduled against St. Catherine University. The match was the fifth of UNW's eight-match home stand and featured a St. Kate's team that is above .500 in MIAC play this season. The Wildcats were able to take a big, early lead in doubles matches and hold on for a 7-2 win at Northwestern's Johnson Tennis Complex.
The #3 doubles squad of
Rayna Baumgarn (Holmen, Wis./Holmen) and
Madeline Troolin (Cambridge, Minn./Homeschool) weren't able to get any momentum going, losing 1-8, which was followed by a 3-8 loss by the #1 team of
Annie Orvis (Rochester, Minn/Schaeffer Academy) and
Abby Johnson (Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool).
Elise Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) and
Analise Marquardt (Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie) kept it close at #2 doubles, but ultimately fell by a 5-8 score as St. Catherine seized control with a 3-0 lead.
The struggles continued for the Eagles as singles play began. Johnson came up short at #2 singles, 0-6, 0-6, then Orvis lost 2-6, 1-6 in the #1 spot as St. Kate's clinched the win. Marquardt dropped her #4 match, 0-6, 2-6 shortly before Troolin fell 3-6, 2-6 at #6 singles. Northwestern was able to finish the night strong, winning the final two matches. Baumgarn bounced back from a 0-6 loss in set one, winning set two 6-3 and the tiebreak 10-6 to get UNW on the board. Jarchow then won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4 at #3 singles to close out the night.
The Eagles will continue their home stand Thursday as they host Bethany Lutheran in an important UMAC match. The action is set to begin at 6:00 PM so be sure to come out and cheer on your Eagles!
