KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The University of North Dakota women's tennis team got back in the win column on Friday afternoon, notching a 4-3 victory over Kansas City from the KC Racquet Club in Kansas City, Mo.
"The fact that we've been in more than a few of these down-to-the-wire, three-hour matches already this season, both wins and losses, paid off today," said UND head coach
Tom Boysen. "So many of today's singles matches were roller coasters of emotions and momentum. Kansas City is a good team and they compete hard. To be as tough and feisty as we were today, and do it on the road, is a good sign. It's easy to believe in yourself when things are going smoothly and comfortably, but to find that belief when there is adversity and doubt is the mark of a competitor."
North Dakota jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to some strong play in doubles action, grabbing victories on all three courts. The middle duo of
Jule Schulte and
Nore Heinitz started it off with a 6-1 triumph before the No. 1 pairing of
Ethel Li and
Aziza Aubin clinched the early point for the visitors with a 6-4 score. The Fighting Hawks closed out their perfect start on the No. 3 court, with
Alyssa Giupponi and
Andrea Pineda also notching a 6-4 win.
After Kansas City brought the match level with the first victory in singles play, Li gave the lead back to the visitors with a pair of 6-2 scores on the No. 3 court to make it 2-1 UND. The Roos battled back to even it once again, but Pineda notched a 6-4, 7-6 win on the top position to push the match to its clinch.
A three-set battle on the No. 4 court went the way of the Roos to once again even the score and turn all eyes to the No. 6 court to decide the match. There, Aubin rallied from a 6-4 loss in the opening set to grab the win with a 7-6, 6-1 victory over the final two stanzas to give the Hawks the 4-3 match triumph.
"Doubles was so much better today than last week, and it obviously was a big factor in our win," said Boysen. "Ethel played great singles to get us a quick point on the board, and Aziza came through in a huge way when it came down to her singles match. She really controlled the final set of her match to get a UND victory today. We are excited to head to Florida with some momentum."
North Dakota will open its Florida trip against Quinnipiac on Monday.
For more information on North Dakota women's tennis, follow on social media @UNDwtennis or visit FightingHawks.com.
