VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Drake University women's tennis tennis team wrapped up a lengthy road swing over the weekend. The Bulldogs split a pair of matches away from home including a victory over Valpo and a loss in Chicago to UIC.
 
Drake 4, Valparaiso 3
The Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing skid in the weekend's first matchup at Valpo on Saturday. Drake won their fifth match of the season after overcoming an early deficit and letting two bouts go via forfeit.
 
The Beacons took the doubles point to start the day with a win in the No. 3 position and a forfeit victory at No. 3.
 
Drake quickly bounced back in singles play, though, as its top three individuals earned three-set victories. Ines Stephani defeated Valpo's Moira Silva in the top position. Mille Haagensen and Rebecca Ehn followed in the second and third spots, respectively.
 
Darinka Stepan provided the blow for the Bulldogs at No. 4 with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Valpo's Jolene Fernandes.
 
The Beacons were able to earn two more points but could not climb all the way back as Drake secured the 4-3 victory, their first in MVC play.
 
"It's great to start the conference season with a win," Drake head coach Breaunna Addison said. "The home crowd was electric, and I think Valpo fed off that energy. They battled us tough today, but we kept our heads down until we found our opportunities."
 
UIC 5, Drake 2
The Bulldogs' success did not carry over to their weekend finale at UIC, however. The Flames controlled doubles play with wins in the top two bouts, and another via forfeit in the third position, to take the first point of the day.
 
Stephani and Haagensen got Drake on the board as singles play got underway. Stephani defeated Agnes Gustaffson at No. 1 and Haagensen quickly took care of Tamara Malazonia in the second spot.
 
UIC regained momentum from there, though, with victories in the next four matches to secure the 5-2 result. Anais Brion of UIC capped things off with a forfeit win in the No. 6 singles spot.
 
"Sunday was a tough loss," Addison said. "We were right on the brink of turning things around… up 3-0 in 2 of the 3 remaining sets before UIC clinched.  We got off to a slow start, but once we got the energy going and focused on the task at hand, we put ourselves in a great position to win the match. Despite only having 5 players, I think it was still a very winnable match. We just have to keep plucking away and believe that things will turn around."
 
Drake will return to Des Moines next weekend for their first home match in almost two months. The Bulldogs are set to host rival UNI on Friday, Mar. 29 at 4 p.m.
 
 
SINGLES vs. VALPARAISO
1. Ines Stephani (DU) def. Moira Silva (VALPO) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
2. Mille Haagensen (DU) def. Olivia Czerwonka (VALPO) 6-0, 1-6, 6-4
3. Rebecca Ehn (DU) def. Mia Bertino (VALPO) 6-2, 4-6, 7-5
4. Darinka Stepan (DU) def. Jolene Fernandes (VALPO) 6-4, 6-2
5. Sydney Stone (VALPO) def. Nicole Lee (DU) 6-3, 7-5
6. Lillian Kelly (VALPO) won by forfeit.
 
DOUBLES vs. VALPARAISO
1. Ines Stephani/Mille Haagensen (DU) def. Olivia Czerwonka/Moira Silva (VALPO) 6-1 
2. Sydney Stone/Elizabeth Sobieski (VALPO) def. Darinka Stepan/Nicole Lee (DU) 6-2
3. Mia Bertino/Jolene Fernandes (VALPO) won by forfeit.
 
 
SINGLES vs. UIC
1. Ines Stephani (DU) def. Agnes Gustaffson (UIC) 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
2. Mille Haagensen (DU) def. Tamara Malazonia (UIC) 6-3, 6-2
3. Mayu Ushio (UIC) def. Rebecca Ehn (DU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
4. Camille Belberka (UIC) def. Darinka Stepan (DU) 6-4, 7-6(8)
5. Zara Ryan (UIC) def. Nicole Lee (DU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Anais Brion (UIC) won by forfeit.
 
DOUBLES vs. UIC
1. Agnes Gustaffson/Mayu Ushio (UIC) def. Ines Stephani/Mille Haagensen (DU) 6-1
2. Tamara Malazonia/Camille Belberka (UIC) def. Darinka Stepan/Rebecca Ehn (DU) 6-2
3. Paula Rodriguez-Gregoris/Zara Ryan (UIC) won by forfeit.