McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's tennis team lost its conference opener to North Central College on Wednesday, September 10. The match, held in Bloomington, ended with a 6-1 result in favor of the Cardinals. With this outcome, Illinois Wesleyan's record moves to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), while North Central improves to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

North Central swept all three doubles matches to secure the opening point. In the top doubles position, Amber Ehrlich and Olivia Bell were defeated by Abigail Penados and Kensington Payne with a score of 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, Katie Van Heuklon and Gabi Lipske lost a tiebreaker to Liveta Ezerskis and Kate Herlihy, finishing at 7-6 (2). Adia Douglas and Elana Religioso fell at No. 3 doubles after another close tiebreaker, losing 7-6 (6).

In singles competition, North Central secured victories at the first three spots to take a commanding lead. Wins at No. 4 singles extended their advantage before Illinois Wesleyan recorded its only point of the day. Elana Religioso earned that win for IWU at sixth singles with a score of 7-5, 6-2 over Alexa Zaskowski.

Illinois Wesleyan will continue CCIW play on Saturday, September 13 when it travels to Augustana for an away match scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

Singles results:

1. Abigail Penados (NCC) def. Amber Ehrlich (IWU) 6-1, 6-1

2. Kensington Payne (NCC) def. Gabi Lipske (IWU) 6-0, 6-2

3. Liveta Ezerskis (NCC) def. Katie Van Heuklon (IWU) 6-0, 6-2

4. Kate Herlihy (NCC) def. Olivia Bell (IWU) 6-3, 6-4

5. Anais Gerard (NCC) def. Adia Douglas (IWU) 6-2, 4-6, [10-4]

6. Elana Religioso (IWU) def. Alexa Zaskowski (NCC) 7-5, 6-2

Doubles results:

1. Abigail Penados/Kensington Payne (NCC) def. Olivia Bell/Amber Ehrlich (IWU)  6–2

2. Liveta Ezerskis/Kate Herlihy (NCC) def.Katie Van Heuklon/Gabi Lipske (IWU), 7–6(2)

3.Sophia Drozd/Anais Gerard (NCC) def.Adia Douglas/Elana Religioso (IWU), 7–6(6)