ST. PAUL, Minn. – Saturday was Senior Day for the University of Northwestern Women's Tennis team, as Head Coach
Matt Swigart recognized five players who will be graduating after the conclusion of this season.
Rayna Baumgarn (Holmen, Wis./Holmen),
Grace Buswell (Winona, Minn/Winona),
Analise Marquardt (Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie),
Annie Orvis (Rochester, Minn/Schaeffer Academy) and
Madeline Troolin (Cambridge, Minn./Homeschool) were honored before playing in their final home matches at the Johnson Tennis Complex. The Eagles cruised to an 8-1 win over the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the morning before getting beat 8-1 by Division II Bemidji State University in the afternoon, but hitting a career milestone in the process.
Match One: University of Wisconsin-River Falls Falcons
Despite the frigid temperatures and high winds in the morning, Northwestern started hot and stayed hot versus UW-River Falls.
Elise Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) and
Analise Marquardt (Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie) teamed up for a dominant, 8-1 win at #2 doubles before
Annie Orvis (Rochester, Minn/Schaeffer Academy) and
Abby Johnson (Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool) picked up an 8-6 win in the #2 spot. UNW's only loss of the match came in #3 doubles, where
Rayna Baumgarn (Holmen, Wis./Holmen) and
Madeline Troolin (Cambridge, Minn./Homeschool) fell 6-8.
With a 2-1 lead in tow, the Eagles cleaned up in singles play. Marquardt was first off after a 6-2, 6-0 win at #4 singles, followed closely by
Annie Orvis's (Rochester, Minn/Schaeffer Academy) 6-0, 6-2 win in the #1 match. Johnson was flawless at #2 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win to clinch the win for the Eagles, while Baumgarn took care of business, 6-1, 6-3 in the #5 slot. Troolin picked up a 6-3, 6-0 win at #6 singles, then Jarchow put a bow on the 8-1 win with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 victory in the #3 spot.
Match Two: Bemidji State University Beavers
Northwestern's final home match of the season was perhaps its toughest test in Division II Bemidji State. The Beavers took down
Rayna Baumgarn (Holmen, Wis./Holmen) and
Madeline Troolin (Cambridge, Minn./Homeschool) at #3 doubles, 8-2, but the final two doubles matches were close to breaking UNW's way. The #1 team of
Annie Orvis (Rochester, Minn/Schaeffer Academy) and
Abby Johnson (Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool) lost 6-8, then
Elise Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne) and
Analise Marquardt (Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie) nearly pulled off a victory in the #2 match. Ultimately, they came up short in a tiebreak, 7-8.
The struggles continued for Northwestern in singles matches, beginning with a 1-6, 0-6 loss for Orvis at #1 singles. Johnson fell 1-6, 2-6 at #2 singles before Troolin sped out to a 6-1 win in set one of her #6 singles match. She went on to lose set two, 1-6, as well as the tiebreak, 2-10. Marquardt dropped her #4 match, 3-6, 2-6, then Baumgarn did the same in the #5 slot, 2-6, 6-7 (3-7). UNW finally got on the board in the final match on the court as Jarchow won a three-set thriller, 5-7, 7-6 (13-11), 10-8. The win also marked Jarchow's 100
th of her career, joining Marquardt (who hit the milestone on Thursday) and eight others in the UNW Women's Tennis 100 wins club.
Up Next
After the pair of non-conference matches on Saturday, Northwestern will return to UMAC play in the final week of the regular season. The Eagles will head west to Minnesota Morris for a 3:30 PM match on Thursday, April 25
th. Both teams currently sit at 2-1 in conference play so it will be an extremely important match in regards to postseason qualifying.
