GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport turned a new leaf this morning as they won their first ever GLIAC match. The Panthers defeated Purdue University-Northwest 6-3 at the Riverview Athletic Club. Steph Ritson, Bridget Barrett and Terrin Everse all went undefeated during the match.
 
In doubles the combo of Adeline Nelson and Ritson won 8-3 in the first doubles slot. Also winning 8-3 was Everse and Barrett in the second doubles spot. Purdue Northwest won the third doubles match by default.
 
Davenport was dominant in singles, winning four of the six matches. Ritson won in the first singles spot 6-2 and 6-4. Nelson fell against Brook Foltz in the second doubles spot 2-6 and 5-7. In the third singles slot Everse won 6-1 and 6-3. Barrett had the largest margin of victory in the fourth singles, winning 6-0 and 6-1. A new face was in the fifth singles spot, Sophie Gossett competed for the first time this season and won 3-6, 7-5 and won 10-6 in the tie breaking set. Davenport defaulted in the last singles spot.
 
"Our team focus this year is about being a better player tomorrow than you were today." Says head coach Patrick Grashorn. "Although we started off 0-4, the team learned from each effort and the improvement has been notable. I was impressed with the gutsy performance by Sophie, who we didn't know would be playing today until game time. She's coming off of multiple skin grafts on her playing hand. Having her back gave the girls a little extra confidence knowing they wouldn't have to default that position like we've had to do up until this point. We have beat schools in each division as an NAIA program, but getting our first win as a member of NCAA D2 and the GLIAC is a wonderful milestone. As the girls continue to get healthy and gain confidence, I know we will be in every match we play."
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Alexis Hoffman