Hillsdale Box Score | Lake Superior State Box Score

SAULTE STE MARIE, Mich. - Davenport came away with a split on Friday night as they defeated Hillsdale College 7-2 before dropping a 6-3 decision to host Lake Superior State.  The two matches against NCAA D2 foes are all part of the Lake Superior State Invite that also will see DU in action today against NAIA power Roberts Wesleyan.

The Lady Panthers tennis team made their way to the upper peninsula on Friday for two matches against GLIAC foes Hillsdale and Lake State.  Although the team performed very well, DU was only able to come away with one win.

The opening match saw the Panthers drop the first two singles matches but they recovered to win the remaining five singles and all three doubles thanks to the superior depth of this year's team.  In singles, DU got wins at No. 3 from Angelica Woods, No. 4 Kristi Kuzdal, No. 5 Erin Hossack and No. 6 Kelly Todd.

All three doubles teams won their matches with the most decisive triumph coming at No. 3 behind the team of Todd and Katie VanDerLaan who won 8-2.

The host Lakers proved too tough for Davenport in the nightcap as DU fell 6-3. Almost every match was tightly contested however and it could have gone either way.  The doubles matches got things started with LSSU winning two of the three. DU's lone point came from the No. 1 team of Denisse Favela and Diana Favela.  Davenport's other two teams lost by slim margins of 8-5 and 9-7.

The singles matches saw DU get a point back at the top behind Diana but they fell in Numbers 2, 3, 5 and 6.  The only other Panther to record a victory was at No. 4 singles player Kristi Kuzdal.

Post-Match Quotes

Coach Ronda Varnesdeel (who stepped in for Patrick Grashorn today)

On the play of the team in both matches - The team put together a solid effort on a long and competitive day of tennis. They showed depth and confidence throughout the day and I am excited to watch the progress of the tennis program under head coach Patrick Grashorn.

Post-Game Notes

The loss is the third straight for DU against Lake Superior State but each match has gotten closer in only the third year for DU Tennis...The team will play Roberts Wesleyan today who is making the transition into the NCAA D2 over the next 3 years...Kristi Kuzdal was appearing in her first matches of the year.

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