by Alan Babbitt

Hope College freshman Sullivan Patel is the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week for the first time.

The freshman posted a combined record of 9-1 in singles and doubles matches last week and helped the Flying Dutch win four of their five matches at the United States Tennis Association National Training Center in Orlando, Florida.

Patel went undefeated at No. 2 singles, claiming straight-set wins against Albion College, St. Catherine University (Minn.), Salisbury University (Md.), Oglethorpe University (Ga.), and Grinnell College (Iowa).

The win against Grinnell came against a nationally-ranked opponent. 

Patel teamed at No. 1 doubles with senior Sydney Jackson for a 4-1 record.