by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College women's tennis team powered its way to a 5-0 victory against Principia College (Illinois) to begin the NCAA Division III Tournament on Thursday in Gambier, Ohio.

The 33rd-ranked Flying Dutch overcame early jitters, head coach Bob Cawood, to advance to a second-round match against regional host and 13th-ranked Kenyon College on Friday, May 10 at 2 p.m.

This marked the fourth consecutive season Hope won its opening match in NCAA Tournament play.

Hope (18-5) and Kenyon (18-3) have not played each other this season but have six common opponents.

Photo by Amanda Bandrowski by Marty Fuller/Kenyon College

Against Principia (9-13), the Flying Dutch took control early by winning all three doubles matches, including two flights by 8-3 scores.

"Principia came out strong in doubles. We played with a little bit of nerves, something you would foresee in a nationals match. We worked through it," Cawood said.

Junior Amanda Bandrowski of Traverse City, Michigan (T.C. St. Francis HS) and sophomore Bailey Chorney of Waunakee, Wisconsin (Waunakee) won the final two points in singles play.

SINGLES

1. Claire Hallock (HOPE-W) vs. Cooley, Paige (PCWT) 5-3, unfinished

2. Amanda Bandrowski (HOPE-W) def. Kitchingman, Gabby (PCWT) 6-0, 6-0

3. Sydney Jackson (HOPE-W) vs. Sprague, Greer (PCWT) 6-1, 4-0, unfinished

4. Taylor LaBarge (HOPE-W) vs. Jones, Hallie (PCWT) 6-1, 3-0, unfinished

5. Bailey Chorney (HOPE-W) def. Switzer, Sarah (PCWT) 6-0, 6-0

6. Erin LaBarge (HOPE-W) vs. Carlson, Caroline (PCWT) 6-0, 4-0, unfinished

DOUBLES

1.Amanda Bandrowski/Claire Hallock (HOPE-W) def. Cooley, Paige/Kitchingman, Gabby (PCWT) 8-3

2. Taylor LaBarge/Sydney Jackson (HOPE-W) def. Sprague, Greer/Jones, Hallie (PCWT) 8-0

3. Erin LaBarge/Bailey Chorney (HOPE-W) def. Heady, Amber/Switzer, Sarah (PCWT) 8-3