by Alan Babbitt

The 29th-ranked Hope College women's tennis team defeated NCAA Division III North Central College (Illinois), 9-0, and lost to NCAA Division I Fordham University, 6-1, on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida.

The Flying Dutch, now 4-3 on the season, continue their spring break play on Thursday with a match against Grinnell College (Iowa).

Against Fordham, junior Claire Hallock of Lakeland, Florida (Harrison Center HS) earned Hope's point at No. 1 singles by topping Maia Balce, 6-1, 6-4 at the United States Tennis Association National Training Center.

Fordham (7-6) won all three doubles matches to claim the team point for doubles.

Against North Central (12-5), the Flying Dutch received a three-set victory from Taylor LaBarge at No. 4 singles at Sanlando Park. The senior from Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville HS) downed Katie McGraw, 6-3, 6-7, 10-8.

Hallock defeated Diane Barcelata at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-2.

Junior Amanda Bandrowski of North Muskegon, Michigan (North Muskegon) beat Hannah Hougland at No. 2 singles, 6-1, 6-2.

Freshman Sydney Jackson of Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll) recorded a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles against Alaina Kanthaphixay.

Junior Liz Pniewski of Lowell, Michigan (Grand Rapids Catholic Central) posted a 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 5 singles against Morgan House.

Sophomore Brigid DeVries of Brandenburg, Kentucky (Meade County) topped Tiffany Smolik at No. 6 singles, 6-1, 6-2.

In doubles, Bandrowski and Hallock took the No. 1 flight, 8-4, against Hougland and Alaina Kanthaphixay.

At No. 2 doubles, Jackson teamed with Taylor LaBarge for an 8-6 victory against Barcelata and McGraw.

At No. 3 doubles, sophomore Bailey Chorney of Waunakee, Wisconsin (Waunakee) and senior Erin LaBarge of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville) defeated House and Smolik, 8-6.