McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's women's tennis team faced a narrow defeat against the University of St. Thomas (Texas) on March 11 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The loss brings IWU's season record to 6-9, while UST improves to 5-1.

The Titans began the match strong by winning the doubles point with victories in the top two positions. Sophomores Amber Ehrlich and Olivia Bell secured a win at No. 1 doubles with a score of 6-4. Freshmen Gabi Lipske and Katie Van Heuklon followed with a 6-3 victory at No. 2 doubles.

In singles play, Van Heuklon and Bell continued their success with wins at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, respectively. Van Heuklon triumphed with scores of 7-5, 6-3, while Bell won her match with scores of 6-4, 6-1.

Despite these efforts, IWU could not clinch another singles win and ultimately fell to UST with a final score of 4-3. Illinois Wesleyan is set to face Belhaven University on March 12 at 9 a.m., with results to be posted on iwusports.com after the match concludes.

Singles competition results included Lucia Rodriguez defeating Amber Ehrlich (6-3, 6-4), Ella Mullins overcoming Gabi Lipske (6-1, 6-1), Katie Van Heuklon besting Karissa Guzman (7-5, 6-3), Olivia Bell winning against Nataly Velasco (6-4, 6-1), Aimee Tran defeating Angela Zatloka (6-0, 6-0), and Hannah Snyder prevailing over Andie Wilson (6-2, 6-0).

In doubles competition: Ehrlich/Bell defeated Rodriguez/Mullins (USTWT) with a score of 6-4; Lipske/Van Heuklon beat Tran/Velasco (USTWT) by scoring 6-3; Guzman/Snyder overcame Zatloka/Wilson (IWU) in a close match ending at 7-5.