Box Score | Video Highlights

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In a non-conference matchup played at the Gainey Athletic Complex, visiting Aquinas College handed the Davenport women's tennis team their first setback of the season by the score of 6-3.  The Saints led 2-1 after a tightly contest doubles series and finished with a 4-2 win in the singles portion. The loss drops the Panthers to 1-1 on the season as they will host Taylor (Ind.) next weekend and Grand Valley State the following week.

Aquinas College, whom DU defeated twice last season, got the best of the Panthers in their first match of 2012-13.  The non-conference match was moved from outside at Gainey Athletic Complex to nearby MVP Sportsplex, but the change of scenery did not help DU.

The match started with three doubles matches that were all very close but the Saints grabbed control with a 2-1 edge. The lone victory for DU came at #2 with Kristi Kuzdal partnering with Emily Spiech for the 8-5 win. The Panthers fell 8-6 at #1 and 8-5 at #3.

Looking to rebound in singles play, DU was still unable to pull through in the tight matches as the Saints grabbed four of the six. Claiming points for the Panthers were Kristi Kuzdal at #3 (4-6, 6-4, 6-1) and Emily Spiech at #5 (6-2, 6-0). The two finished the day undefeated for Davenport.
DU will return to the court on Saturday, September 29 when they host Taylor University (Ind.).

Post-Match Quotes – head coach Patrick Grashorn
"The women struggled with closing out games today. We had a lot of close matches but couldn't get things to bounce our way. Aquinas is going to be a tough team to beat this year but we have to focus on the positives and move forward."

Post-Match Notes
Davenport fell for just the second time to Aquinas as the overall series is now 4-2 in favor of the Panthers…Emily Spiech and Kristi Kuzdal are now 3-1 overall on the season in doubles action…
 
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