GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the second year in a row, Davenport will be represented at the USTA/ITA Small College Nationals by Emily Spiech and Alyssa Fuentes as the junior tandem claimed the doubles crown on a cool and windy afternoon. The second straight title came against a duo from Northwestern Ohio as they will now head to the national tournament in Sumter, S.C. in early October.
 
After seeing both Emily Spiech and Alyssa Fuentes drop semifinal matches in the singles draw in the morning, head coach Patrick Grashorn regrouped his junior tandem as they took the court in the finals of the open doubles.
 
Spiech, who won the singles title last year and then later paired with Fuentes to win the doubles, got off to a slow start as the duo of Lopez/Lacerado from Northwestern Ohio owned a break and was up 2-1.
 
After that, it was all Davenport as the Panthers scored seven of the final nine points to win going away 8-4.
 
The USTA/ITA Small College Nationals will take place in Sumter, S.C. from October 9-12 at the Palmetto Tennis Center.
 
The USTA/ITA National Small College Championship is the only national championship event for singles and doubles at the NCAA Division II and NAIA levels. It is also the only tournament that combines all levels of Junior/Community College (NJCAA Divisions I and III and the California division).

On the back-draw of doubles, senior partners Angelica Woods and Montserrat Elizondo won their bracket with a close win over Aquinas College.
 
Tennis Contact: Aaron Sagraves | 616-554-5045 | asagraves@davenport.edu
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