WHITEWATER, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women's tennis team opened the 2019-20 season at the UW-Whitewater Invitational on Saturday, finishing in third place.
The Blugolds tallied 32 points on the day while host Whitewater was first with 48 points. Grinnell College followed with 42.
Natalie Wijesinghe (Sr. – Apple Valley, MN) took third place at No. 1 singles after defeating Paige Nierman of Whitewater 6-3, 6-2 in the third place match.
At No. 2 singles, Emily Cooper (Jr. – White Bear, MN/Mahtomedi) was fourth after falling in the third place match 6-3, 6-4.
Sydney Presler (Fr. – Eau Claire, WI/Altoona) finished in third place at No. 3 singles, defeating Carthage's Faelan O'Shaughnessy in the third place match with scores of 6-2, 6-1.
In the No. 1 doubles draw, Lindsey Henderson (So. – Prior Lake, MN) and Elaine Franta (Fr. – White Bear Lake, MN) were consolation champs with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Carthage's Rachel Anderson and Sam Ramsey.
At. No. 2 doubles, Alexa Brooks (So. – Beaver Dam, WI) and Emma Barnd (So. – Wells, MN/United South Central) finished in second place, winning their first two matches before falling in the championship to Whitewater's Sabrina Palavra and Olivia Kraft.
In the No. 3 doubles draw, Kennedy Rusk (So. – Nisswa, MN/Brainerd) and Laney Huhner (Fr. – Litchfield, MN) were the consolation champions, finishing 2-1 on the day including a 6-4, 6-3 win over La Crosse's Morgan Graf and Katie Kearny in their final match.
The Blugolds will be back in action Sept. 7th as they host UW-Stout and Bethel University at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.