The Drake women’s tennis team started off their spring season in a duel against Marquette University. The Bulldogs took on the Golden eagles on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the University of Iowa. 

The Bulldogs got off to a quick start taking the doubles point from Marquette. Doubles one were seniors Liza Petushkova and Kelsey Neville.  The Bulldogs had a close fight, but unfortunately lost 6-4. The doubles two team was made up of first-year Mille Haagensen and sophomore Darinka Stepan. Double two had a quick 6-2 win over Marquette. 

Doubles three team had sophomore Ines Stephani and junior Rebecca Ehn. Doubles three secured the doubles point after a 6-3 win. 

The Bulldogs headed into the singles matches with a 1-0 lead over Marquette. 

“We came out with great energy in doubles to get the doubles point and then we carried that momentum into singles”’, Neville said. 

At singles one, Stephani took a quick lead in the first set against Marquette, winning it 6-0. Heading into the second set Stephani continued to fight her way, winning a close second set 7-6. 

Petushkova took on Andie Weise at singles two. After two competitive sets Petushkova won her match 6-4,6-3. At singles three Haagensen was the first Bulldog to get a singles point after winning her match 6-3,6-2. 

At singles four, Stepan took down Kaiser, 6-3,6-4 to secure another point for the Bulldogs. At singles five Neville battled throughout the whole match. After losing the first set 2-6, Neville came back to taking the second set,  7-6.

Since the match had already been clinched as a win for Drake, Neville played a 10-point tie breaker instead of a full third set. Neville took the tie breaker 10-7 to secure the last singles point. Singles six was forfeited by Marquette due to an injury. 

The Bulldogs defeated Marquette 7-0 for their first match of the season. 

“It was great to be able to start off our season with a win. The whole team was very competitive and in every match. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season looks like for us,” Stephani said. 

This was Haagensen’s first collegiate dual match. 

“The atmosphere was great, I really enjoyed being able to compete for Drake alongside all of my teammates to get our first win,” Haagensen said. 

The Bulldogs next match will be January 27-29 at Drake. The Bulldogs will take on South Dakota first at 5 p.m. and on the 28 followed by Wichita State on the 29 at 11 a.m.  

“We are super excited to be back home and competing here at home for the first time this season. It’s always a great feeling to fight for a win at home,” said first-year Nicole Lee. 

Follow the Bulldogs along on the live stream as well as on their social media, Instagram, twitter and Facebook. The Bulldogs are allowing in person spectators as long as the individuals are masked.