By David Youngs
SAINT PETER, MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Fresh off a week of training in the Sunshine State, the Gustavus women’s tennis team kicked off its 2022 campaign with a split against two non-conference opponents. Gustavus started the day at home with a 9-0 sweep over NAIA opponent Northwestern (Iowa) and finished with a 7-0 defeat to Division I opponent North Dakota at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis.
Gustavus 9, Northwestern (Iowa) 0 | BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
Bagels were on the Saturday morning breakfast menu at Swanson Tennis Center as the Gustie women rolled to a 9-0 victory in their first match of the 2022 spring season.
Gustavus hit the ground running early by taking all three doubles matches. First-year Brooke Haddorff (Eagan) teamed up with Lili Elofson (Jr., Saint Peter) to notch an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles. The victory was Haddorff’s first collegiate dual match win.
The Gusties rolled at Nos. 4, 5, and 6 singles, dropping only three total games thanks to dominant wins from Megan Karrow (Sr., Woodbury), Mary Enright (So., Vadnais Heights), and Rachel Fanciullo (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.).
The Gusties also managed to pull through in a trio of close matches at the top of the singles lineup. Haddorff secured her first collegiate singles victory at the two spot while Elofson pushed through a close first set in a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles.
Making her debut at No. 1 singles, Hayley Trebil (Sr., Edina) grinded out a victory in the most exciting match of the day. After winning the first set 6-2, Trebil dropped a tight second set 5-7. With her back up against the wall, Trebil regained momentum in the super-breaker and squeaked out a 10-8 win to secure the match.
Did You Know? Saturday morning’s victory was Gustavus’ first ever matchup against the Red Raiders in program history. The win also marks the fourth year in a row that the Gusties have won their season opener.
North Dakota 7, Gustavus 0 | BOX SCORE
The Gusties were swept by Division I opponent North Dakota on Saturday evening in the Twin Cities. The No. 3 doubles team of Sydney Douglas (Sr., North Mankato) and Rachel Lindrud (Sr., North Oaks) played the closest match of the evening, dropping their doubles set 6-3 to the Fighting Hawks.
The loss drops the Gusties to 1-1 on the young season. UND is now 3-5 on the year.
Coaches Corner
With a pair of matches under their belt, the Gusties have plenty of positives to take with them moving forward.
“Even though we were split squads today in two different places, we completed as a team,” Assistant Coach Heidi Carlson said. “This morning’s match was a great match with a lot of competitive points. Tonight’s match against a really tough UND team was amazing tennis. We competed hard and left the facility better players. I’m really proud of all our girls with not only how they played, but how they acted as Gusties. They always represent Gustavus so well!”
Up Next: The Gusties (0-0 MIAC, 1-1 overall) head to Winona next Sunday, Feb. 13 to kick off conference play against Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent Saint Mary’s (0-0 MIAC, 2-0 overall). The Gusties defeated the Cardinals 9-0 last season and are 29-1 against Saint Mary’s in program history.