GALESBURG, Ill.- The Western Illinois women's tennis team dropped its season opener against in-state rival Northern Illinois 7-0 at Lakeside Racquet Club in Galesburg, Ill.
"It was a tough loss today," said Western Illinois head coach Michael Hunt. "We're still trying to break though against this level of competition. It didn't happen today, but give Northern Illinois credit. They've obviously been through a lot in the last few weeks and they pulled together and got a good win. They're a talented team and I'm sure they'll continue to get better.
The Westerwinds (1-4) came out strong in doubles, dropping three tight matches to the Huskies. Freshman Kate Kennedy (Pekin, Ill./Community) and sophomore Stephanie Baumer (Troy, Ill./Triad) went into a tiebreaker at No. 3 doubles before dropping the match 9-8 (7-4). The No. 1 doubles team of junior Kim Lennartsson (Kungsbacka, Sweeden/Katrine Lund Gymnasium/Southern Mississippi) and sophomore Amanda Griffin (Granite Bay, Calif./Granite Bay/Fresno State) and the No. 2 doubles team of sophomore Yana Meinert (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Township) and sophomore Ashley Clark (Waseca, Minn./Waseca/Wisconsin-Milwaukee) lost matches, 8-6 and 9-7, respectively.
Griffin and Clark also took their singles matches to the wire. Griffin lost to Liljan Asuaje at No. 1 singles, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, while Clark was defeated by Kate Friedlund, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), at No. 2 singles.
"We played as well as we have all year in doubles and led late in all three matches," stated Hunt. "We just couldn't close them out and Northern came back and got them. Kim just wasn't able to go in singles so we pulled her and shifted everyone up. Ashley did a great job in Kim's place and nearly pulled out a win. Amanda played well in her first set, but struggled after that. I was pleased with both Courtney and Stephanie's efforts."
The Westerwinds head to St. Louis this weekend for a pair of matches, Friday and Saturday, March 7-8, against St. Louis and UM-St. Louis.
Singles
1. Lilian Asuaje (NIU) def. Amanda Griffin 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
2. Katie Friedlund (NIU) def. Ashley Clark 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3)
3. Nao Umemura (NIU) def. Kate Kennedy 6-0, 6-0
4. Brooke Forsberg (NIU) def. Yana Meinert 6-0, 6-1
5. Jenny Edner (NIU) def. Courtney Brooks 6-2, 6-4
6. Doris Delgadillo (NIU) def. Stephanie Baumer 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. Asuaje/Forsberg (NIU) def. Griffin/Lennartsson 8-6
2. Edner/Umemura (NIU) def. Meinert/Clark 9-7
3. Friedlund/Delgadillo (NIU) def. Kennedy/Baumer 9-8 (4)
