by Eva Dean Folkert

The Hope College women's tennis team suffered its first loss of the young season, edged by North Central (Illinois) College, 5-4, at DeWitt Tennis Center on Saturday.

Though the Flying Dutch claimed two of three doubles matches, North Central took four of the six singles flights. 

Hope now has a 2-1 overall record while North Central is 2-0.

Junior Sydney Jackson of Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll HS) and senior Leah Newhof of Caledonia (Grand Rapids Christian HS), pictured left to right, were responsible for three of Hope's four match wins, recording victories at No. 1 doubles and in each of their singles matches.

In doubles, Jackson and Newhof were victorious over North Central's Hannah Hougland and Alaina Kanthaphixay, 8-3.

Jackson defeated Kaeli Smashey, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 1 singles while Newhof topped Hougland, 6-4, 6-4, at No.2 singles.

Also victories for the Flying Dutch on Saturday were sophomore Taylor Truman of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS) and junior Saydee Johns of Holland (Holland HS) who earned a No. 3 doubles victory, 8-5, over the Cardinals' Smashey and Katie McGraw.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, February 27 against NCAA Division II Ferris State University. Match time is 3 p.m. at Hope's DeWitt Tennis Center.