The University of Minnesota Duluth women's tennis team opened its 2021 campaign in dominating fashion on Saturday afternoon in Lakeville, Minn., prevailing over Minnesota State-Mankato 6-1 in its first match of the day. The Bulldogs would lose its second match of the day, 4-3, against Southwest Minnesota State University.

In the first match of the day, all three UMD doubles pairs took 6-2 wins over their Minnesota State counterparts. Senior and captain Natalie Cahill and junior Sophie Lynch played in the No. 1 doubles spot, with senior captain Isabel Thiner and sophomore Mallory Lithun in the No. 2 spot and sophomore Emily Rahrick and freshmen Abby Johnson making her collegiate tennis debut at the No. 3 spot.

In singles, Lynch (No. 1), Cahill (No. 2), Lithun (No. 3), Thiner (No. 5), and freshmen Shay Callaway (No. 6) came away victorious in straight sets, while Rahrick (No. 4) lost to Minnesota State's Goth in three sets.

Against Southwest Minnesota State, the Bulldogs would win two of three in doubles. Cahill and Lynch (No. 1) along with Johnson and Rahrick (No. 3) prevailed over the Mustangs, while Thiner and Lithun (No. 2) would lose 3-6.

In singles, Cahill (No. 2) and Callaway (No. 6) would remain undefeated on the day, while Lynch (No. 1), Lithun (No. 3), Rahrick (No. 4), and Thiner (No. 5) would all ultimately lose in three sets.

Head Coach Jess Worden said, "Today was a great first day of matches for the Bulldogs! We are grateful for the opportunity to play today. Our freshmen came out of today undefeated, and we had four three-set matches against SMSU which were great battles all around. I look forward to strong leadership from our senior captains, Natalie and Isabel, going into next weekend."

The Bulldogs will be back in action next Saturday, Feb. 20, taking on Sioux Falls on the road at 7:00pm.
Click here to see the full season schedule.