DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team rolled to a 5-2 season opening victory over Creighton Friday afternoon at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
 
"It was very important to get out to a good start in doubles because we have been focusing on doubles in general.," said Drake head coach Mia-Ly Tran.
 
The Bulldogs swept the doubles point to take a quick 1-0 lead. Senior Tess Herder and freshman Liza Petushkova topped Ashley Ishimura and Darby Rosette, 6-3, at No. 1 doubles. Senior Summer Brills and junior Joely Lomas defeated Michaele Henne and Erin Epperson, 6-2 at No. 2 to secure the point, while junior Kenya Williams and freshman Megan Webb added a 6-2 victory at No. 3.
 
"Liza played really well in the fall and she continued to play well and it showed today," said Tran.
 
Petushkova put the Bulldogs up 2-0 with a convincing 6-4, 6-0 win over Rosette at No. 3 singles. Herder gave Drake a 3-0 lead with her 6-2, 6-4 victory over Henne at No. 2 singles. Webb clinched the match for the Bulldogs by defeating Claire Ebree 6-4, 6-4 at No. 5 singles. Brills came back from being down a couple of breaks in the first set to earn Drake's final win 7-6, 6-2 at No. 1.
 
"Our focus for the next week will be endurance since we have a doubleheader next week, and to get health so we can play our top level of tennis," said Tran.
 
The Bulldogs return to action on Sunday, Jan. 28 for a twinbill against South Dakota and Augustana (S.D.). First serve is set for 9 a.m.

Drake 5, Creighton 2
Jan 19, 2018 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Tennis Center) 

Singles competition

1. Brills, Summer (DU) def. Ashley Ishimura (CU) 7-6, 6-2

2. Herder, Tess (DU) def. Michaela Henne (CU) 6-2, 6-4

3. Petushkova, Liza (DU) def. Darby Rosette (CU) 6-4, 6-0

4. Erin Epperson (CU) def. Williams, Kenya (DU) 7-6, 6-1

5. Webb, Megan (DU) def. Claire Embree (CU) 6-4, 6-4

6. Laura Higueras (CU) def. Kozlowski, Alex (DU) 6-1, 6-4

 

Doubles competition

1. Herder, Tess/Petushkova, Liza (DU) def. Ashley Ishimura/Darby Rosette (CU) 6-3

2. Lomas, Joely/Brills, Summer (DU) def. Michaela Henne/Erin Epperson (CU) 6-2

3. Williams, Kenya/Webb, Megan (DU) def. Claire Embree/Laura Higueras (CU) 6-2

 

Match Notes

Creighton 0-1

Drake 1-0

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,2,5,6,4,1)