WOMEN’S TENNIS
The HU women’s tennis team (1-0, 1-0) kicked off its fall season on Wednesday afternoon in convincing fashion with a 6-1 win over Spring Arbor University. Not only did today’s match mark the Foresters’ season opener, it also marked the start of conference play.
Several major changes have taken place this fall as the NAIA has opted operate under NCAA Division I rules. Instead of a previously 9-point team score, a match now consists of seven points. Whichever team wins two of the three doubles matches is awarded a point after which a team is given a point for each singles match won. Four points are needed to win the match.
Other changes include no-ad scoring in singles and doubles. In no-ad scoring, when a game is tied at 40-40, known as deuce, the player who wins the next point wins the game. And finally, doubles play is now six sets instead of eight.
HU’s starting line-up included five returners and transfer Charlotte Solli. The Stetson transfer’s impact was instant as she collected a win at No. 2 doubles before shutting out Seal Clifford, 6-0, 6-0, at #2 singles.
“This was a good first match of the season for us today,” said Coach Ferguson. “Charlotte, playing at #2 singles, cruised in her first match as a Forester.
“Playing under the new Division I rules presented some stress for the players, but I thought everyone settled in and focused well.”
Next up for Ferguson and crew is another home match on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. against #25 Marian.
DOUBLES RECAP
#1 – Meg Dolde/Morgan Fitzpatrick (HU) def. Abby Ducharme/Sela Clifford (SAU) 6-2
#2 – Charlotte Solli/Lanae Singleton (HU) def. Kenzie Weener/Morgan Summons (SAU) 7-5
#3 – Lisa Colling/Molly Burton (HU) vs. Paige Trela/Emma Ruga (SAU) – DNF
SINGLES RECAP
#1 – Dolde (HU) def. Ducharme (SAU) 6-3, 7-5
#2 – Solli (HU) def. Clifford (SAU) 6-0, 6-0
#3 – Fitzpatrick (HU) def. Trela (SAU) 6-1, 6-4
#4 – Singleton (HU) def. Summons (SAU) 6-0, 6-4
#5 – Lindsey Scott (SAU) def. Colling (HU) by default
#6 – Burton (HU) def. Shae Wright (SAU) 6-0, 6-1