Belles Downed by Lancers

• The tennis team fell in a 7-2 final against Grace in their first match of the year.
• Kelsey Kopf battled her way to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 win at four singles for the Belles.
• Elizabeth Preister took a straight-set 6-1, 6-3 victory at five singles

WINONA LAKE, Ind. - The Saint Mary's tennis team fell by a 7-2 margin against Grace College in their opening match of the 2016-17 academic year on Thursday night.

Elizabeth Preister and Kylie Frauhiger were narrowly edged out in a 9-7 final at three doubles. Monica Davy and Sam Setterblad suffered an 8-3 setback at one doubles, and Abbi Fleming and Meaghan Flynn ended on the wrong side of an 8-0 final at three doubles.

Kelsey Kopf battled her way to a 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 win at four singles for the Belles. Preister took a straight-set 6-1, 6-3 victory at five singles to aid the cause. Monica Davy nearly forced a third set but came up short in a 6-1, 6-4 final at one singles. Kylie Frauhiger fell by a 6-1, 6-2 score at two singles while Sam Setterblad was stopped in a 6-2, 6-1 final at three singles.

In exhibition play, the duo of Bailey Oppman and Elizabeth Bush won at four doubles while Meaghan Flynn picked up a seven singles win.

The Belles (0-1) next compete in the ITA Regional Tournament in Kalamazoo during the weekend of September 30-October 2.

Results:
Singles
1. Natalia Kurkova def. Monica Davy, 6-1, 6-4
2. Carrie Copeland def. Kylie Frauhiger, 6-1, 6-2
3. Jenna Jackson def. Sam Setterblad, 6-2, 6-1
4. Kelsey Kopf def. Molly Fitzpatrick, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0
5. Elizabeth Preister def. Gabrielle Lawrence, 6-1, 6-3
6. Abbi Fleming retired vs. Jayna Huber

Doubles
1. Jenna Jackson/Carrie Copeland def. Monica Davy/Sam Setterblad, 8-3
2. Natalia Kurkova/Molly Fitzpatrick def. Abbi Fleming/Meaghan Flynn, 8-0
3. Gabrielle Lawrence/Mariah Lewis def. Elizabeth Preister/Kylie Frauhiger, 9-7

Exhibition:
4 Doubles - Elizabeth Bush/Bailey Oppman def. Caroline Cassidy/Shelby Bankson, 8-2
7 Singles - Meaghan Flynn def. Rachel Smith, 6-3