ANGOLA, Ind.--The Adrian College women's tennis team built an early 3-0 lead and then had to withstand a huge comeback bid by Trine University on Friday to repel the host Thunder, 5-4, in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener for both squads at the Athletic Recreation Center.
The Bulldogs, who swept the doubles competition to start things off, improve to 5-7 overall and 1-0 in the MIAA. Trine falls to 2-10 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.
Junior Amber Laginess led Adrian's cause with victories at both No. 1 doubles (with senior Victoria Watson) and No. 1 singles.
No. 2 junior Renae Almasy and freshman Samantha Cyrus and No. 3 freshmen Makayla Jorgensen/Julia Maltbie combined to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead after doubles. The No. 2 tandem won a 9-7 thriller going into the singles flight.
Tarah Brennan broke through after some tight matches recently to take the win at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-4. Her victory got the Thunder on the board with its first point of the match.
Trine's Kyra Braun extended her winning streak and perfect start to her collegiate career with her seventh consecutive win in singles play. Braun moved up to No. 5 singles for the first time and responded with a 6-4, 6-3 win. The freshman is 7-0 on the year.
Besides Laginess, Watson was the other Bulldog who picked up a single victory--at No. 4--and that was enough for the visitors to pull out the team win. Watson defeated Abby Hoge in straight-sets, 6-1, 6-2, to join Laginess with a two-point afternoon.
Adrian returns to the courts on Sunday when it makes its spring home debut versus non-conference opponent St. Francis (Ind.) at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs' MIAA home opener will be two days later against Albion at 4 p.m.
Singles competition
1. Amber Laginess (ADRIAN-W) def. Madison Hatkevich (TRINEW) 6-2, 6-3
2. Tarah Brennan (TRINEW) def. Renae Almasy (ADRIAN-W) 6-2, 6-4
3. Kinnsey Pass (TRINEW) def. Samantha Cyrus (ADRIAN-W) 7-6, 6-0
4. Victoria Watson (ADRIAN-W) def. Abby Hoge (TRINEW) 6-1, 6-2
5. Kyra Braun (TRINEW) def. Olivia Neumann (ADRIAN-W) 6-4, 6-3
6. Theresa Magenheimer (TRINEW) def. Makayla Jorgensen (ADRIAN-W) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Amber Laginess/Victoria Watson (ADRIAN-W) def. Madison Hatkevich/Kinnsey Pass (TRINEW) 8-5
2. Renae Almasy/Samantha Cyrus (ADRIAN-W) def. Tarah Brennan/Carlee Richardson (TRINEW) 9-7
3. Makayla Jorgensen/Julia Maltbie (ADRIAN-W) def. Abby Hoge/Kyra Braun (TRINEW) 8-3
Match Notes: ADRIAN 5-7, 1-0 MIAA; Trine University 2-10, 0-1 MIAA; Time-3:45; Attendance-50
