by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College women's tennis team enjoyed the opportunity to compete again.

Playing for the first time in a month, the Flying Dutch began Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play with a 9-0 victory against Albion College on Saturday at VandePoel-Heeringa Stadium Courts.

The Flying Dutch (3-2 overall) dropped to Albion only four games combined in singles play and one in doubles play. Hope last played on February 27 against Ferris State University.

"Along the same lines as the men, the women having a month off was not too fun," head coach Bob Cawood said. "We're happy to see a whole month of practice pay off."

Photo of Annika Weeber and Bailey Chorney by Lynne Powe

At No. 1 singles, junior Sydney Jackson of Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll) defeated Albion's Saige Jost, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 2 singles, senior Leah Newhof of Caledonia, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian) topped Albion's Mya Duncan, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 3 singles, senior Bailey Chorney of Waunakee, Wisconsin (Waunakee) posted a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Albion's Breh Huger.

At No. 4 singles, sophomore Delanie Riebschleger of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford) defeated Albion's Savannah McDonald, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 5 singles, freshman Angela Burke of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian) downed Albion's Grace Lorenzoni, 6-0, 6-2.

At No. 6 singles, senior Brigid DeVries of Bradenburg, Kentucky (Meade County) recorded a 6-2, 6-0 victory against Albion's Namara Swillum.

In doubles play, the No. 1 team of Jackson and Newhof and the No. 3 team of Riebschleger and sophomore Taylor Truman of Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville) each served up 8-0 victories.

At No. 2 doubles, Chorney and freshman Annika Weeber of Rockford, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian) won, 8-1.

The match was played concurrently with the men's match against Albion. The Flying Dutchmen also won, 9-0.

"This is the fourth match I've coached with both the men and women played outside. It's always something special, especially in March," Cawood said. "What a better day to be with each other. That was a fun day."

Hope's next match is Friday, April 2 at home against Kalamazoo College.