The top-seeded Hope College women's tennis team handled its semifinal assignment with poise on Thursday afternoon, earning a 4–1 win over Kalamazoo College at the VandePoel-Heeringa Courts to advance to the championship match of the MIAA Tournament, presented by Collegiate Credit Union.
The Flying Dutch (15-7 overall) will host the title match against rival and second-seeded Calvin University on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. at VandePoel-Heeringa Stadium Courts. Hope seeks a 15th consecutive MIAA Tournament crown.
On Thursday, Hope set the tone early in doubles against Kalamazoo, securing the point with victories in the second and third flights.
Sophomore Hadley Krygier (White Lake, Michigan / Walled Lake Northern HS) and sophomore Kaitlyn Stievater (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan / Wylie E. Groves) rolled to a 6–1 win at No. 2, while senior Mallory Matthews (Midland, Michigan / H.H. Dow) and junior Phoebe Walker (Traverse City, Michigan / Traverse City Central) secured a 6–4 victory at No. 3.
In singles, the Flying Dutch quickly built on their lead. Freshman Jana Beier (Fort Wayne, Indiana / Carroll) dominated at No. 3 with a 6–2, 6–0 win, and freshman Sophia Grzesiak (Beverly Hills, Michigan / Detroit Country Day) followed with a composed 6–1, 6–2 victory at No. 4. With multiple matches trending Hope's way, it was junior Madison Wei (Parker, Colorado / Regis Jesuit) who delivered the clincher, closing out a steady 6–4, 6–4 win at No. 6 to secure the semifinal victory.
Doubles
1: Sophia Grzesiak/Amanda Lopykinski vs. Juliana Pullen/Addison Lyons (KC), 4-4, unfinished
2: Hadley Krygier/Kaitlyn Stievater def. Molly Stevison/Peja Liles (KC), 6-1
3: Mallory Matthews/Phoebe Walker def. Daryn Krause/Soussana Kimbouris (KC), 6-4
Singles
1: Amanda Lopykinski vs. Juliana Pullen (KC), 6-3, 2-3, unfinished
2: Addison Lyons (KC) def. Hadley Krygier, 6-3, 6-2
3: Jana Beier def. Eleni Bougiokou (KC), 6-2, 6-0
4: Sophia Grzesiak def. Molly Stevison (KC), 6-1, 6-2
5: Kaitlyn Stievater vs. Daryn Krause (KC), 6-3, 5-1 unfinished
6: Madison Wei def. Peja Liles (KC), 6-4, 6-4
