DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake women's tennis began its 2026 spring slate on Saturday afternoon with a home loss to North Dakota. The Bulldogs and Fighting Hawks went back-and-forth all day, but UND left Des Moines with a 4-3 win after wins in the top three singles spots.
 
Jana Ruzic and Jordane Dookie started the day with a 6-3 win in doubles action, but the Fighting Hawks took the other two bouts to earn the initial doubles point.
 
Ruzic also earned a win in the No. 4 singles position via retirement before Elizabete Klavinska took care of North Dakota's Emma Roberts (6-1, 6-1) to vault back in front in the match.
 
The Fighting Hawks top three singles players Ethel Li, Jule Schulte, and Alva Norberg all won their respective battles in straight sets to reach their eventual final total of four points. Jordane Dookie produced Drake's last gasp with a 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 result for the win at No. 5, but it was not enough as UND left the Roger Knapp Tennis Center with a 4-3 victory.
 
Drake will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State visit Des Moines. The Bulldogs and SEMO will get started at noon.
 
Singles Competition
1. Ethel Li (NDAK) def. Maja Dodik (DU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Jule Schulte (NDAK) def. Kristina Tai (DU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Alva Norberg (NDAK) def. Shiori Takeda (DU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Jana Ruzic (DU) def. Alyssa Giupponi (NDAK) via retirement.
5. Jordane Dookie (DU) def. Simone Cameron (NDAK) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0(10-3)
6. Elizabete Klavinska (DU) def. Emma Roberts (NDAK) 6-1, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition
1. Ethel Li/Jule Schulte (NDAK) def. Kristina Tai/Maja Dodik (DU) 6-4
2. Alva Norberg/Linn Svaerd (NDAK) def. Shiori Takeda/Elizabete Klavinska (DU) 6-4
3. Jana Ruzic/Jordane Dookie (DU) def. Alyssa Giupponi/Simone Cameron (NDAK) 6-3