by Alan Babbitt

An unmatched run continues for the Hope College women's tennis team.

The Flying Dutch won at Saint Mary's College, 8-1, on Tuesday to secure at least a share of seventh consecutive MIAA title and 23rd overall.

A league-record 63rd consecutive dual-match victory also secured Hope the top seed for next week's MIAA Tournament.

Hope (15-7, 7-0 MIAA) can clinch an outright league championship on Wednesday, April 27, at 4 p.m. against Adrian College.

The seven consecutive league titles are the longest stretch in MIAA women's tennis history.

Under the direction of head coach Austin Hunt, Hope swept all six singles matches at Saint Mary's to claim the victory.

At No. 1 singles, senior Sydney Jackson (Fort Wayne, Indiana / Carroll HS) recorded a 6-1, 6-1 victory against Lucy Chamberlin.

At No. 2 singles, freshman Sullivan Patel (Birmingham, Michigan / Wylie E. Groves) served a 6-4, 6-0 victory against Alayna Campbell.

At No. 3 singles, sophomore Annika Weeber (Rockford, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) posted a 6-1, 6-1, victory against Meredith Heckert. 

At No. 4 singles, senior Saydee Johns (Holland, Michigan / Holland) earned a 6-2, 6-3 victory against Kathleen McLeod.

At No. 5 singles, freshman Alexi Lewis (Cedar, Michigan / Traverse City St. Francis) scored a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Kayla Borger.

At No. 6 singles, freshman Miyako Coffey (Cedar Rapids, Iowa / St. Xavier) delivered a 6-1, 6-3 victory against Nikki Rust.

The Flying Dutch led 2-1 after doubles.

At No. 1 doubles, Jackson and Patel teamed for an 8-1 victory against Chamberlin and Campbell.

At No. 2 doubles, Johns and Truman downed Heckert and Borger, 8-5.

At No. 3 doubles, McLeod and Rust earned Saint Mary's point with an 8-6 victory against Weeber and Coffey.