DES MOINES, Iowa. – North Dakota women's tennis bounced back from a two-match skid to take down the Drake Bulldogs on Saturday morning, hanging on for the 4-3 victory on the road.  
 
"This was a satisfying win for the team," said head coach Tom Boysen. "Being on the road after late travel, losing a player to an injury early in singles…we overcame some adversity to find a way to win, for sure."
 
The Fighting Hawks took control early courtesy of doubles competition, when the duos of Ethel Li & Jule Schulte and Alva Norberg and Linn Svaerd each cruised to 6-4 victories from the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. Drake did take the win from the third spot, but the 1-0 lead had already been clinched.
 
"Doubles was a true testament to finding ways to pull out a point," said Boysen. "Ethel and Jule had a great comeback from down 4-1 and Linn and Alva played their best doubles of the set when it mattered most."
 
And that point would prove vital for the Hawks, who split the singles points with the Bulldogs.
 
Drake scored from the No. 4 and No. 6 spots after Alyssa Giupponi dropped due to medical retirement and Emma Roberts fell in her UND debut. Norberg responded for the Fighting Hawks with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win from the No. 3 court to tie the score up at 2-2 and Jule Schulte added another with her convincing 6-1, 6-3 victory from the No. 2 spot.
 
Li clinched the fourth team point for the overall victory with her gutsy 6-4, 6-3 win at the top spot as Simone Cameron nearly completed her comeback, falling in a super tiebreaker third-set.
 
"Alva was fantast was fantastic to put another point on the board quickly," Boysen added. "Jule and Ethel navigated tricky second sets to get us the team win. We home to have Alyssa back next weekend, but I am so proud of the team for getting this road win under these circumstances."
 
The road trip will continue for North Dakota as the women head south to face Nebraska on Sunday, February 1 and Augustana on Monday, February 2.

For more information on North Dakota women's tennis, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDwtennis.