Women raise season record to 6-1

The Cornell women's tennis team traveled to western Iowa and brought home three decisive victories, continuing an impressive start to the fall season.

The Rams swept a double dual Saturday in Sioux City, rolling past Missouri Western State (8-1) and host Morningside (9-0). Cornell came back Sunday to beat Iowa Conference foe Buena Vista, 8-1, in Storm Lake.

Luther handed the Rams their first loss of the season in IIAC play Wednesday, 9-0, in Mount Vernon. Cornell improved to 6-1 overall, and stands third in the IIAC with a 3-1 mark.

Cornell handled its three nonconference foes, despite the absence of No. 3 player Alyssa Zavislak. The Rams took 17 of the 18 contested singles matches, receiving three wins apiece from Kirsten Lasley (No. 1), Ariana Hudson (2), Kara Middleton (3), Claudia Landsman (5) and Ellie Purdy (6). Kathleen Ellis finished 2-1 at the No. 4 spot in the lineup.

Hudson ran her season record to 6-1 at No. 2 singles. The freshman yielded only seven games in six sets over the weekend. Lasley improved to 5-2 at the No. 1 singles spot with three straight-set victories.

Cornell's No. 1 doubles tandem of Lasley and Hudson finished 3-0 on the road trip, and improved to 5-2 overall. Middleton and Purdy went 3-0 as first-time partners at No. 2 doubles. The duo claimed tight wins over Missouri Western State (8-6) and Morningside (9-7). Ellis and Landsman won two of three bouts at No. 3 doubles.

The Rams were competitive in doubles play against Luther. The Norse edged Lasley and Hudson, 8-6, at No. 1 doubles. Zavislak and Middleton dropped a 9-8 decision at No. 2.

Coming up - Cornell travels to Rock Island, Ill., Saturday with matches scheduled against host Augustana at 9 a.m. and Lake Forest at 12:30 p.m.