Cornell women continue winning ways

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Cornell's women's tennis team stretched its winning streak to five duals with a pair of nonconference wins Saturday on the road.

The Rams held off host Augustana for a tight 5-4 triumph in the opening dual of the day. Cornell completed the sweep by claiming a 7-2 decision over Lake Forest.

Cornell ran its season record to 8-1, marking the program's best start in head coach Patrick Cote's five seasons at the helm.

Freshman Ariana Hudson and junior Kara Middleton extended their singles win streaks to five matches, and both finished 4-0 in all contests over the weekend. Hudson improved to 8-1 at No. 2 singles with a pair of straight-set wins. Middleton rolled to two victories at No. 4 singles, moving her record to 7-2.

Hudson and senior Kirsten Lasley went 2-0 at No. 1 doubles, including a key 9-7 victory over Augustana. Middleton and junior Alyssa Zavislak also finished unbeaten at No. 2 doubles, recording an 8-3 win that put the Rams ahead 2-1 in the Augustana dual. Hudson, Zavislak (No. 3) and Middleton came through with singles wins against the Vikings to secure the team victory.

Cornell swept all three doubles matches against Lake Forest, marked by an 8-1 win from sophomore Claudia Landsman and freshman Ellie Purdy at the No. 3 slot. Hudson, Middleton and Landsman (No. 6) were all victorious in singles play.

Coming up - The Rams play host to Grand View at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Cornell is back on the road Saturday to face Upper Iowa (12:30 p.m.) and Iowa Conference foe Wartburg (4 p.m.) in Waverly.