by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College women's tennis team returned to the court in triumphant fashion on Friday.

Playing for the first time in 342 days, the Flying Dutch served up a 6-3, season-opening victory against Cornerstone University at DeWitt Tennis Center.

Listen to a season-preview interview with head men's and women's tennis coach Bob Cawood on the Orange and Blue Athletics Podcast

In singles, the Flying Dutch claimed victories in the top two flights as well as the fourth and fifth ones.

At No. 1 singles, junior Sydney Jackson (Fort Wayne, Indiana/Carroll HS) won 6-0, 6-1 against Cornerstone's Alayna Bowman.

At No. 2, senior Leah Newhof (Caledonia, Michigan/Grand Rapids Christian) beat Cornerstone's Valentina Garcia, 6-0, 6-1.

At No. 4, junior Saydee Johns (Holland, Michigan/Holland) served up a 6-1, 6-2 win against Hanna De La Vega.

At No. 5, freshman Annika Weeber (Rockford, Michigan/Grand Rapids Christian) earned a 6-3, 7-5 victory against Cornerstone's Tiffany Klamecki. 

In doubles, Hope won the top two flights.

At No. 1 doubles, Newhof and Jackson teamed for an 8-2 victory against Bowman and De La Vega.

At No. 2 doubles, Bailey Chorney and Annika Weeber defeated Cornerstone's Laura Metamoros and Klamecki, 8-7 (2).

Photo of Bailey Chorney and Annika Weeber, from left to right, by Lynne Powe

Hope returns to the court on Saturday, February 13 at DeWitt Tennis Center for a 3 p.m. match against Davenport University.