DOUBLES
1 – Silver/Honda (EC) def. Liechty/Keefe (BC), 9-7
2 – Steele/Patton (EC) def. Schrock/Cherry (BC), 8-2
3 – Roose-Snyder/Hamilton (EC) def. Blose/Harsha (BC), 8-4
After opening their season last weekend at the Manchester Doubles Tournament, the Bluffton Beavers’ women’s tennis team began their dual match schedule, Thursday at Earlham College. The Beavers showed they had gained some valuable experience early in the season, as they played hard-fought matches throughout the lineup.
Bluffton’s 1st doubles team of freshman Jenna Liechty and junior Stephanie Keefe got things started on the right foot when they jumped out to a 3-1 lead against the top Earlham doubles team of Jennifer Silver and Saiko Honda. The top Bluffton duo would also hold leads of 5-3 and 7-6 before eventually falling 9-7. Liechty also performed well in the top singles slot for the Beavers. The first-year collegiate player exhibited stellar play against Silver, briefly gaining 4-3 leads in both sets before falling 6-4, 6-4. Keefe, meanwhile, would go on to play strong to open her singles match in the second position before dropping a tough decision.
Another top performer for the Beavers was #5 singles player Jenni Blose. The junior battled hard in her singles match, forcing an extended second set despite falling 6-4, 7-5. Blose also teamed up with sophomore Julie Harsha at the third doubles position, making things interesting in the middle of their match before eventually bowing out, 8-4.
The Beavers fall to 0-1 on the season, and will continue their season with a pair of home matches on Saturday, September 6, when they host Division II Tiffin University and HCAC foe Transylvania.
