After winning both of their matches on Saturday, the Ripon College women's tennis team is off to their best start to a season since 2008, improving to 4-2 after defeating both Illinois College and Knox by identical 7-2 scores.

"There has been noticeable improvement in this team almost daily and there's also a really good harmony amongst the team, which makes for a positive winning atmosphere," Ripon Head Coach Rob Oertel said. "I'm really proud of the level our team played at today, considering our number one singles player is not with us this weekend."

The Red Hawks began the day in Jacksonville, Ill. against Illinois College, winning two of their three doubles matches, and taking five of the six matches in singles play. At number one doubles, Hannah Ryback and Samantha Kiesner teamed up for an 8-2 win, while Katelyn Peroutka and Carly Wesner were victorious 8-0 at the number three flight.

In singles play, Ryback won her match at the top flight 6-4, 6-4, while Kiesner won at the number three position 6-2, 2-6 (10-7). MaKenzie Warner (6-3, 6-1), Peroutka (6-0, 6-0), and Wesner (6-0, 6-1) were also victorious at the number four through six positions, respectively.

Ripon followed that up with another 7-2 team win at Knox in Galesburg, Ill. later in the day, winning twice in doubles competition and five times in singles play. The number one team of Ryback and Kiesner picked up another win by an 8-3 margin, while Morgan Makar teamed up with Peroutka to win their third flight match, 8-1. In singles play against the Prairie Fire, Ryback, Kiesner, Warner, Peroutka, and Sarah Weber were all victorious.

Ripon will try to stay hot on Sunday when they'll continue their tour of central Illinois by visiting Monmouth College at 9 a.m.