ORLANDO, Fla. – The Winona State University women's tennis team kicked off their spring break trip with a pair of victories on the first day of competition. The Warriors defeated St. Francis (Ill.) 4-3 in their first match, then took down Seton Hill (Pa.) by a score of 5-2 to end the day.
 
Winona State vs. St. Francis
The Warriors got off to a hot start in the Sunshine State, winning all three doubles matches to earn the team doubles point. Sara Anderson and Beth Murman won convincingly at No. 2 doubles, dropping just one game. The No. 1 doubles team (Rachel Kelly/Rina Niehoff) and the No. 3 doubles team (Kyley Bolster/Brooke Jorgensen) each won 6-3 to bring momentum into singles play.

USF was able to win the first three singles matches off the court and take a 3-1 lead, winning at second, fifth, and sixth singles. With their backs against the wall with three matches left, Winona State battled to wins at No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 singles to earn the victory. Niehoff won 6-3, 6-4 at No. 3 singles to get the first of three singles points. Kelly battled in a three-set match at the top position and won the third set, 6-1, to tie the team score at three apiece.

For the second straight match, it all came down to Anderson at fourth singles. After dropping the first set 6-7 (2-7), Anderson fought to win the second and third sets, 6-3 and 6-2, to clinch the 4-3 win for WSU.
 
Winona State vs. Seton Hill
The Warriors once again swept all three doubles matches and earned the team doubles point to start with a 1-0 lead heading into singles.

During singles play, WSU won four matches in straight sets to control the contest. Rachel Kelly battled to a 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles, while Beth Murman and Rina Niehoff made quick work of their opponents at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively. Brooke Jorgensen clinched the match for Winona State, winning 6-3, 6-2 at No. 5 singles. Sara Anderson and Mikayla Hanson each dropped decisions at fourth and sixth singles, but the Warriors earned the 5-2 team victory.

Today's wins extend WSU's winning streak to seven matches. The Warriors (9-2, 5-1 NSIC) have the day off from competition tomorrow, but will have two more matches on Tuesday, March 8 against Ferris State and Millersville University.

For the most up-to-date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics: 

The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.  

Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.