by Alan Babbitt

The 29th-ranked Hope College women's tennis team downed Grinnell College (Iowa), 8-1, on Thursday at the Lake Cane Tennis Center in Orlando, Florida.

The Flying Dutch improved their record to 5-3 overall.

Junior Liz Pniewski, pictured, of Lowell, Michigan (Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS) recorded a three-set victory at No. 5 singles. She defeated Sara Amano, 6-4, 4-6, 10-3.

Hope's other singles victories came in two sets.

At No. 1 singles, junior Claire Hallock of Lakeland, Florida (Harrison Center) recorded a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Abby Nielsen.

At No. 2 singles, junior Amanda Bandrowski of Traverse City, Michigan (St. Francis) beat Isabel Green, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 3 singles, freshman Sydney Jackson of Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll) beat Judith Fan, 6-2, 6-2.

At No. 4 singles, sophomore Bailey Chorney of Waunakee, Wisconsin (Waunakee) earned a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Lily Hamilton.

At No. 6 singles, senior Erin LaBarge of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville) topped Natalie Cook, 6-0, 6-1.

In doubles play, Bandrowski and Hallock won the No. 1 flight against Nielsen and Fan, 8-3.

At No. 3 doubles, Chorney teamed with Erin LaBarge for an 8-4 victory against Hamilton and Cook.

Hope's next match is Thursday, March 28 at home vs. Olivet College in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener.