RIPON, Wis. -- The Ripon College women's tennis team split a pair of home matches Saturday, opening the day with a dominant 7-0 victory over Marian University before falling 7-0 to the University of Dubuque later in the day at the Ripon High School courts.
Ripon opened the day in impressive fashion against Marian, taking all three doubles matches before carrying that momentum into singles play.
At No. 2 doubles, freshman Juliet Barstow (Kennebunk, Me., Kennebunk HS) and junior Isabella Engstrom (Ripon, Wis., Ripon HS) teamed up for a 6-2 victory, while senior Ella Clark (Columbus, Wis., Columbus HS) and junior Emily Bittinger (Shell Rock, Iowa, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) posted an identical 6-2 win at No. 3 doubles. Junior Josie Rondestvedt (Altoona, Wis., Altoona HS) and senior Jessi Griepentrog (Freedom, Wis., Fox Valley Lutheran HS) rounded out the doubles lineup at No. 1, earning a 6-2 victory to give Ripon a 1-0 lead heading into singles.
Rondestvedt continued her strong performance at No. 1 singles, defeating Marian's No.1 6-4, 6-4. Griepentrog followed with a 6-2, 6-0 victory at No. 2 singles, while Engstrom cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 3.
Bittinger also recorded a straight-set shutout at No. 4 singles, winning 6-0, 6-0. At No. 5, Barstow battled through a competitive second set to defeat Marian's No. 5 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), while Clark completed Ripon's sweep with a 6-3, 6-1 victory at No. 6 singles.
The Red Hawks then faced a quick turnaround against Dubuque in their second match of the day.
Rondestvedt and Griepentrog faced a tough challenge at No. 1 doubles, falling 6-0, while Engstrom and Barstow dropped their No. 2 doubles match 6-2. At No. 3 doubles, senior Isabella DeMeuse (Hartford, Wis., Hartford Union HS) and sophomore Hailey Sponholz (Milwaukee, Wis., Greenfield HS) battled throughout their match before falling 6-4.
Ripon continued to compete in singles, with Rondestvedt and Griepentrog making it challengeing for their opponents. Rondestvedt fell 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 singles, while Griepentrog dropped her match 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2.
DeMeuse also competed at No. 3 singles, falling 6-3, 6-1, while Bittinger and Barstow were defeated at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. Clark rounded out the singles lineup at No. 6, falling 6-2, 6-1.
Despite the second-match setback, Ripon's victory over Marian gave the Red Hawks a strong start to their home slate and provided several individual highlights throughout the day.
Ripon will return to action Sunday, Sept 6, hosting Simpson College at the Ripon High School courts. First serve is scheduled for 10am.
