by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College women's tennis team charged back in singles play to defeat 16th-ranked Case Western Reserve University, 5-4, on Saturday in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Flying Dutch, who are 39th in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association NCAA Division III poll, improved to 2-1 overall.

Hope won four of the singles matches to take the non-league match.

"We always know Case Western Reserve is a tough opponent. They came out strong," head coach Bob Cawood said. "I could not have been more proud of the grit of this group and their unwillingness to give. This was an incredible team win."

At No. 1 singles, junior Claire Hallock of Lakeland, Florida (Harrison Center HS) defeated Madeleine Paolucci, 6-3, 6-2.

At No. 2 singles, junior Amanda Bandrowski of Traverse City, Michigan (St. Francis) beat Nicole Cardwell, 6-1, 6-3.

At No. 3 singles, freshman Sydney Jackson of Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll) earned a 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 win against Sneha Karham.

At No. 6 singles, junior Liz Pniewski of Lowell, Michigan (Grand Rapids Catholic Central), pictured above, defeated Shreyaa Mukund, 0-6, 7-5, 6-4.

In doubles play, Jackson teamed with senior Taylor LaBarge of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville) for a 8-4 victory at the No. 2 flight against Karnam and Nihdi Jha.

Hope's next match is Saturday, March 2 against Denison (University (Ohio) at DeWitt Tennis Center.