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Tennis starts strong in conference play

BY ALEX WOODLE

The women's tennis team rebounded after a 1-2 start in the non-conference season to dominate two conference opponents last Saturday, bringing their record to 3-2 (2-0 MWC).

The team showed their depth against Knox College, as Shweta Khajuria '07, Rachel Engh '08, Maya Lipert '09, Katie Colver '09, Margaret Block '08 and Jill Akiyama '10 all won their singles matches. Those same six, with the exception of Laura Goffman '09 who filled in for Block, combined to win all three doubles matches as the Pioneers downed Knox, 9-0.

"Our top eight [players] are all close in ability, so we can count on wins across the board," Engh said.

Grinnell defeated Monmouth College 8-1 in the afternoon. The same six won their singles matches, but the Pioneers fell short of the sweep when Khajuria and Engh lost their doubles match 8-1.

Engh tallied up the loss to a need to work on their chemistry and teamwork. "Sometimes we're singles players on a doubles court. We're working on [that]," she said.

The Pioneers will be tested this week at the ITA Regional Championships, an individual singles and doubles event with strong competition. Engh expects to "see good doubles teams in action."

The ITA Championships are today through Sunday in Decorah, Iowa.

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