BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Playing its 2024-25 season opener on its home courts, the Illinois Wesleyan University women's tennis team defeated Lawrence University, 5-2, Saturday, Sept. 7. The Titans (1-0) swept doubles to secure one point before winning four of six individual matches. The win marks the second straight season that the Green and White have opened its season with a victory.
Starting the match off in doubles action, the sophomore duo of Amber Ehrlich (Springfield, Ill.-Glenwood) and Olivia Bell (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) defeated LU's top pair, 6-2. Senior Kate Christian (Washington, Ill.-Washington Community) teamed up with freshman Gabi Lipske (Gurnee, Ill.-Mundelein), who made her collegiate debut, at No. 2 doubles. The pair picked up a 6-1 victory to help secure Lipske's first career win. Sophomore Carly Edwards (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) and senior Andie Wilson (Champaign, Ill.-Centennial) finished out the unblemished doubles action with a 6-0 victory at No. 3 doubles.
Ehrlich, playing in the top singles slot, notched her second win of the day, as she picked up set wins of 6-2 and 6-3. Christian and Edwards also picked up their second wins of the day, as Christian took the No. 4 singles match with scores of 6-1, 6-4, and Edwards took both sets at No. 5, 6-2. Freshman Angela Zatloka (Justice, Ill.-Argo Community) made her collegiate debut, playing at No. 6 singles, and secured her first collegiate victory with set scores of 6-4, 6-0.
Illinois Wesleyan travels to Illinois College Tuesday, Sept. 10, for a 4 p.m. battle against the Lady Blue.
Singles competition
1. Ehrlich, Amber (IWU) def. Anna Vanden Acker (LU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Clara Hills (LU) def. Lipske, Gabi (IWU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Logan Kane (LU) def. Bell, Olivia (IWU) 7-6 (7-5), retired
4. Christian, Kate (IWU) def. Fanta Jatta (LU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Edwards, Carly (IWU) def. Rachael Pofahl (LU) 6-2, 6-2
6. Zatloka, Angela (IWU) def. Madi Mishica (LU) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Ehrlich, Amber/Bell, Olivia (IWU) def. Anna Vanden Acker/Logan Kane (LU) 6-2
2. Christian, Kate/Lipske, Gabi (IWU) def. Maddie Bublik/Clara Hills (LU) 6-1
3. Edwards, Carly/Wilson, Andie (IWU) def. Fanta Jatta/Madi Mishica (LU) 6-0
Match Notes
Lawrence University 1-2
Ill. Wesleyan 1-0
