WHITEWATER, Wis. – The Carleton College women's tennis team opened play at the NCAA Championships with a 5-1 triumph over Luther College. Mary Frances Hose (So./Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge) and Amelia Asfaw (Fy./Seattle, Wash./Seattle Prep) accounted for three of the Knights' team points. Carleton (16-1) takes on the country's No. 1-ranked team, the University of Chicago (18-1), in the second round.
 
"Both teams competed very well in hot conditions," said Carleton assistant coach Aaron Chaput. "We are happy to be able to come out on top for a chance to play again tomorrow."
 
Carleton, the No. 11-ranked team in the region, got off to a fast start by sweeping the three doubles matches from Luther (17-11), the No. 17-ranked squad in the area.
 
It came as little surprise that Asfaw and Hose, the sixth-ranked tandem in the Central Region, were the first ones to finish, capturing their No. 1 doubles match by an 8-4 tally. Soon after, Ingrid Smith (Fy./Edina, Minn./Edina) and Mariam Nechiporuk (Fy./Portland, Ore./Lake Oswego) improved to 10-0 on the year as a duo, posting an impressive 8-1 victory at No. 2 doubles. Taylor Thulson (Sr./Louisville, Colo./Niwot) and Amanda Black (Fy./Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) notched their fifth win in six tries and their 8-5 win at No. 3 doubles gave the Knights the early 3-0 lead.
 
Hose, the No. 9-ranked player in the Central Region, was first to finish in singles, taking down Luther's Sophia Sackett in straight sets by a 6-1, 6-0 score.
 
After the Norse notched a 6-0, 6-4 victory at the fourth slot in the lineup, Asfaw, the No. 20-ranked player in the region, secured the team decision with her 6-0, 6-4 triumph over Renata Martinez at No. 2 singles.
 
Three singles matches were left unfinished. Nechiporuk and Black were both headed to a third set, while Miriam Shteyman (Fy./Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) captured the first set and was headed to a tiebreaker in the second set. The score of her match was 6-1, 6-6 at the time play was halted.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton takes on the country's No. 1-ranked team, the University of Chicago (18-1), in the second round. That match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
 
Carleton College 5, Luther College 1
Singles competition
1. Mary Frances Hose (CAR) def. Sofia Sackett (LUTW) 6-1, 6-0
2. Amelia Asfaw (CAR) def. Renata Martinez (LUTW) 6-0, 6-4
3. Mariam Nechiporuk (CAR) vs. Julia Moreno (LUTW) 0-6, 6-4, unfinished
4. Shelby Cook (LUTW) def. Ingrid Smith (CAR) 6-0, 6-4
5. Miriam Shteyman (CAR) vs. Ana Olimpio (LUTW) 6-1, 6-6, unfinished
6. Amanda Black (CAR) vs. M. Ramirez-Mainou (LUTW) 6-3, 3-6, unfinished
 
Doubles competition
1. Amelia Asfaw/Mary Frances Hose (CAR) def. Shelby Cook/Julia Moreno (LUTW) 8-4
2. Ingrid Smith/Mariam Nechiporuk (CAR) def. Sofia Sackett/Ana Olimpio (LUTW) 8-1
3. Taylor Thulson/Amanda Black (CAR) def. Lexi Hastings/Natalia Smith (LUTW) 8-5