ELMHURST, Ill. - Traveling to Elmhurst University for a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin clash Monday, Sept. 23, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's tennis team blanked the Bluejays, 7-0, to secure its second straight conference win. With the victory, IWU ups its record to 4-2 overall, 2-2 in CCIW action, while Elmhurst falls to 0-7 overall, 0-3 in league play.
The Titans opened the contest by taking all three doubles to secure the one-point decision. Sophomore Amber Ehrlich (Springfield, Ill.-Glenwood) and freshman Katie Van Heuklon (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) got it started at No. 1 doubles, securing the 6-2 victory. It marked Van Heuklon's first collegiate win, as she made her debut in the match. Senior Kate Christian (Washington, Ill.-Washington Community) and freshman Gabi Lipske (Gurnee, Ill.-Mundelein) followed with a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles. Playing at No. 3 pairs, sophomore Carly Edwards (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) and freshman Angela Zatloka (Justice, Ill.-Argo Community) closed out doubles action with a 6-0 victory.
Ehrlich got the Green and White going in singles play, taking her sets 6-0, 6-1, playing in the top spot. Lipske followed with the same set scores at No. 2 singles to secure her second win of the day. The No. 3 singles spot saw Van Heuklon follow her first collegiate victory with her first individual win, as she took both of her sets, 6-1. Christian continued her day with a win at No. 4 singles, winning her first set 6-3, before downing her opponent 6-0 to secure the victory. No. 5 singles saw a battle between Edwards and EU's Olivia Grabowski, with Edwards walking away victorious. After taking the first set, 6-2, the Metamora, Ill., native fell 6-3 to have to play a tiebreaker. The sophomore responded, as she edged past Grabowski, 11-9, to take the win. Zatloka closed out the contest at No. 6 singles, claiming her sets 6-2, 6-0.
Illinois Wesleyan will take a break from CCIW action, as the Titans travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Friday-Sunday, Sept. 27-29. Results will be updated on iwusports.com upon the completion of the tournament.
Singles competition
1. Ehrlich, Amber (IWU) def. Stone,Anna Sophia (ELMHURST) 6-0, 6-1
2. Lipske, Gabi (IWU) def. Webb, Chloe (ELMHURST) 6-0, 6-1
3. Van Heuklon, Katie (IWU) def. Merrell,Mia (ELMHURST) 6-1, 6-1
4. Christian, Kate (IWU) def. Coon,Reese (ELMHURST) 6-3, 6-0
5. Edwards, Carly (IWU) def. Grabowski,Olivia (ELMHURST) 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (11-9)
6. Zatloka, Angela (IWU) def. Lakey, Anna (ELMHURST) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Ehrlich, Amber/Van Heuklon, Katie (IWU) def. Stone,Anna Sophia/Webb, Chloe (ELMHURST) 6-2
2. Christian, Kate/Lipske, Gabi (IWU) def. Merrell,Mia/Coon,Reese (ELMHURST) 6-1
3. Edwards, Carly/Zatloka, Angela (IWU) def. Grabowski,Olivia/Lakey, Anna (ELMHURST) 6-0
