WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State tennis team opened up 2017 with a pair of victories on Saturday, beating Bemidji State 5-4 and Minnesota, Crookston 9-0. The Warriors were able to beat the Beavers thanks to a tie-breaking win from Katie Scruggs.
 
Scruggs fought off a match point before winning 14-12 in the tie-breaking third set. The Warriors started the match by sweeping the doubles portion. The Beavers would get back in the match by winning four of the first five singles matches to tie the match at four all. Scruggs would win the first set but dropped the second set 7-6. Her three set victory gave the Warriors their 5-4 win.
 
In the second match of the day, the Warriors made quick work of the Golden Eagles. Winona State again swept the doubles matches, this time losing just one game combined in the three matches.
 
The most exciting singles match came at the number one spot as Kaisey Skibba won 6-3, 6-4. The Warriors would win 6-0, 6-0 in four of the six singles matches. Scruggs followed her marathon three set victory with a 6-2, 6-2 win in the second match of the day.
 
The Warriors are back at home next Friday as they host Minnesota State-Mankato at 7 p.m. The next day they will host Southwest Minnesota State at 4 p.m. to cap off a four-match home stand.