DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Ripon women's tennis program dropped a tight 5-2 decision at the University of Dubuque on Friday afternoon in the Red Hawks' season opener.
 
New to Division III college tennis in 2024-25 is a significant rule change – instead of nine points being available in a match, Division III has transitioned to Division I and Division II scoring, meaning only seven points are now available. Therefore, the three doubles matches are only worth one point, going to the team that takes two of three in doubles. Four, instead of five, is now the magic number needed to win a match.
 
In a spirited doubles point, Allison Pavlovec and Catherine Skoglund teamed up for a 6-4 win on the third court, but Dubuque (1-0) took courts one and two over Ripon (0-1) to lead 1-0 heading into singles play.
 
Singles was tight from the very start, as each team won three first sets. However, it was Ripon that drew first blood as Chase Polyak cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win on court four. Dubuque quelled Ripon's momentum, however, taking courts two, three and five in succession to clinch the match and lead 4-1.
 
After a tight, three-set win by Dubuque on court one, Isabella Engstrom won the first match of her college career, earning a 6-2, 4-6, [10-7] victory on the sixth line.
 
NEXT UP: Ripon has a quick turnaround, competing in road matches at Simpson (10 a.m.) and Loras (5 p.m.) on Saturday, August 31 to round out its weekend in Iowa.
 
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