The Gustavus women’s tennis team opened its fall season at the seven team Drake Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa this past weekend. In singles play, senior Jamie Gaard advanced to the quarterfinals, while in doubles play the duo of Lauren Hom and Sierra Krebsbach finished second. The Gusties were the only non-scholarship program in the tournament.
Senior Jamie Gaard (Edina, Minn.) turned in the top performance in singles play as she advanced to the quarterfinals of the “A Flight” before losing to Teri Chan of Bradley University 3-6, 4-6. Gaard defeated Nicole Thurston of Creighton University 6-1, 7-6 in the first round and Danielle Vscinski of Iowa State University 5-7, 7-5, 10-7 in the second round. Lauren Hom (Sr., Stevens Point, Wis.) was the only other Gustavus player to pick up a win in the “A Flight” as she defeated Elise Montrose of Bradley University 6-4, 6-2 in the first round. Hom lost to Jill Palen of Iowa State University 4-6, 3-6 in the second round.
In other singles play, Darcey Haubrick (Sr., Elk River, Minn.) won her first round match in the “B Flight” against Christina Shelly of Northern Colorado 6-4, 7-5, but then lost to Eve Soriano of Iowa State University 3-6, 5-7 in the second round. Jenny Arnfelt (Jr., Arden Hills, Minn./Mounds View) lost her first round match in the “B Flight” to Crista Gilmore of Drake University 6-7, 6-7, but Arnfelt then won two matches in the consolation draw before falling to Carolina Hannes of the University of Northern Iowa 7-9 in the “B Flight” Consolation championship match.
In doubles play, the newly formed team of Lauren Hom and Sierra Krebsbach (Fy., North Oaks, Minn.), turned in a very strong performance as the duo won four matches before falling to Kara Hickey and Jill Palen of Iowa State University 2-8 in the championship match. Hom and Krebsbach defeated Danielle Vscinski/Caitlin Loprinzi of Iowa State University 8-6 in the first round, Renee Nuccio/Karen Groll of Northern Colorado 8-5 in the second round, Irina Kalashnikova/Eveline Rusidianto of Drake University 8-4 in the quarterfinals, and Kari Sloboth/Allison Wilkie of Drake University 9-7 in the semifinals.
The doubles team of Darcey Haubrick and Hannah Frericks (Sr., Sartell, Minn.) also picked up a win as the duo defeated Alyssa Palen/Chrissy Derouin of Iowa State University 8-6 in the second round before falling to Sarah Plowman/Veronika Lesayova of Drake University 6-8 in the quarterfinals.