DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team improved to 5-3 on the season after a well-earned 4-3 win over Creighton on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs battled back after falling behind in doubles play to secure the non-conference win.
The Bluejays picked up the first point of the day with two wins in doubles play as the duos of Leanne Kendall/Malvika Shukla and Valerie Negin/Ana Paula Martinez picked up victories.
Drake picked up steam as the competition turned to singles play.
Mille Haagensen and
Oriana Parkins-Godwin earned wins in straight sets in the second and fifth spot, respectively.
Elizabete Klavinska took down Creighton's Martinez 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 in the third position.
Jyun-Yi Lee then defeated Kendall in three sets to secure the Bulldogs' 4-3 victory.
"It was a gritty win for us today," Drake head coach Breaunna Addison said. "After losing the doubles point, we responded well in singles. We committed to our game plan and challenged them at every line. I'm proud of the way we competed as a team, and I'm excited to watch our team continue to build throughout the season."
The Bulldogs will be on the road for their next two matches. Drake will visit DePaul on Friday, Mar. 3 and Northern Illinois on Saturday, Mar. 4.
SINGLES VS. CREIGHTON – ORDER OF FINISH (2, 5, 3, 1, 6, 3)
1. Kate Krueger (CREI) def. Ines Stephani (DU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
2. Mille Haagensen (DU) def. Malvika Shukla (CREI) 6-2, 6-1
3. Valerie Negin (CREI) def. Darinka Stepan (DU) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6
4. Elizabete Klavinska (DU) def. Ana Paula Martinez (CREI) 6-0, 3-6, 6-3
5. Oriana Parkins-Godwin (DU) def. Bianca Rademacher (CREI) 7-5, 6-4
6. Jyun-Yi Lee (DU) def. Leanne Kendall (CREI) 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
DOUBLES VS. CREIGHON – ORDER OF FINISH (1, 3)
1. Leanne Kendall/Malvika Shukla (CREI) def. Darinka Stepan/Haagensen (DU) 6-2
2. Ines Stephani/Oriana Parkins-Godwin (DU) vs. Kate Krueger/Bianca Rademacher (CREI) 4-4
3. Valerie Negin/Ana Paula Martinez (CREI) def. Elizabete Klavinska/Jyun-Yi Lee (DU) 6-2
