IUPUI Team Page
WOMEN’S TENNIS OPEN MID-CON PLAY WITH 3-0 WEEKEND
The IUPUI women's tennis team used their home court advantage to its full advantage when they opened conference play by sweeping all three of their matches. The Jags defeated Western Illinois 4-3, Oakland 7-0 and Chicago State 5-2 in the Mid-Con cluster held at IUPUI.
Friday's victory over Western Illinois was the first time that IUPUI had ever beaten the Westerwinds. The Jags gained a 1-0 with wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Junior Natalie Bednar (Pewaukee, Wisc./Catholic Memorial) and freshman Michelle Cunningham (Sellersburg, Ind./Silver Creek) defeated WIU's duo of Mandy Gourly and Emmy Cilek, holders of the best doubles record in the Mid-Con, 8-6 at No. 1. Junior Hillary Byard (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) and sophomore Laura Stephens (Whiteland, Ind./Whiteland) were 8-4 winners at No. 3. The Jags captured three singles matches to take the match 4-3. Bednar broke a four-match losing streak with her 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory at No. 1 singles. Byard and senior Pam Brown (Madison, Ind./Madison Consolidated) won their No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches, 6-3, 7-5 and 6-4, 6-1, respectively.
The Jags swept Oakland 7-0 in Saturday morning's match, winning all nine matches in straight sets. Bednar and Cunningham won 8-1 at No. 1 doubles and Byard and Stephens won 8-3 at No. 3 doubles. Sophomores Emily Dukeman (New Castle, Ind./New Castle) and Amanda Valse (Merrillville,Ind./Merrillville) blanked their opponents at No. 2 doubles 8-0. In singles action, Bednar won 7-5, 6-4 at No. 1, Cunningham 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 and Brown 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6. Dukeman at No. 3, Valse at No. 4 and Byard at No. 5 all double bageled their opponents with 6-0, 6-0 victories.
Saturday's victory over Chicago State completed IUPUI's perfect weekend. The Jags swept all three doubles matches and won four of six singles matches. Bednar and Cunningham captured a hard fought 9-7 win at No. 1 doubles, while Dukeman and Valse won 8-3 at No. 2 doubles. Byard and Stephens won their fourth-straight match at No. 3 doubles when they cruised to an 8-2 victory. Playing at No. 2 singles, Cunningham was leading 4-1 in the opening set when her opponent had to default. Valse won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Byard won her fourth-straight and Brown her sixth-straight matches. Byard had her second consecutive 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 5 singles with Brown winning 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6.
