OWATONNA, Minn. – The No. 28-ranked Carleton College women's tennis team wrapped up the winter portion of its schedule and improved to 6-1 on the campaign with a 4-3 victory over Minnesota State University, a NCAA Division II program.
The Mavericks (3-1) absorbed their first loss of the season.
The Knights won the best-of-three doubles portion of the match as
Amanda Black and
Kat Smiricinschi prevailed 6-2 at No. 3 doubles before
Amelia Asfaw and
Mariam Nechiporuk added a 6-4 triumph atop the lineup. Minnesota State won at the second slot as McKenna DeMarce and Elizabeth Felderman edged Carleton's duo of
Ingrid Smith and
Ryann Witter by a 7-6 (7-2) tally.
Witter and
Piper Brown added to Carleton's lead with victories at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, respectively. The latter was the first to finish, notching a 6-4, 6-0 victory to improve to 5-1 on the season. Witter also moved to 5-1 on the year thanks to her 6-2, 6-4 win at the fifth slot.
Trailing 3-0 in the team score, Minnesota State secured its first point when Avery Stilwell slipped past Nechiporuk at No. 2 singles in a three-set match that saw the momentum swing back and forth. Stilwell captured the first and third sets 6-1, but Nechiporuk claimed the second set by a 6-0 score.
Kiley Pickens improved to 6-0 on the year and clinched the team victory for Carleton with her 6-3, 6-3 triumph at No. 4 singles.
The Mavericks ended up adding wins in close contests at No. 1 and No. 3 singles. Atop the lineup, Freia Lawrence prevailed 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 over Asfaw, while DeMarce held off
Miriam Shteyman at the third slot by a 7-5, 5-7, 1-0 (10-7) tally.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will focus on winter term final exams that begin next weekend before heading to Orlando, Fla. for a trio of Spring Break matches.
