The University of Minnesota Duluth women's tennis team capped off a perfect weekend at home with a dominating 7-0 sweep of the University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles. The Bulldogs held their opponent to only five total points across all matches.

UMD opened the day with a doubles sweep at all three positions. No. 1 doubles pair Natalie Cahill and Sophie Lynch won their match 6-1, picking up their first doubles win of the weekend. The No. 2 pair of Mallory Lithun and Shay Callaway went a perfect 6-0, as did the No. 3 pair of Emily Rahrick and Abby Johnson. 

The Bulldogs brought their doubles momentum into their singles matches as well. Moving up into the No. 1 singles position, captain Natalie Cahill bested her opponent 6-0, 6-0. Mallory Lithun, today playing in the No. 2 position, also pulled out a 6-0, 6-0 win. No. 3 Emily Rahrick won 6-1, 6-1. 

Freshman Shay Callaway jumped up from the No. 5 spot to the No. 4 spot today and handled the test well with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 win. Callaway started the season at the No. 6 singles spot, and, after dropping her collegiate debut, has been undefeated in the last six matches.

Captain Isabel Thiner won 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 5 singles spot. Freshman Abby Johnson made just her second appearance so far this season in the No. 6 singles spot and made the absolute most out of the opportunity, taking down her opponent handily, 6-0, 6-0.

Head Coach Jessica Worden's excitement over today's sweep was evident: "It was great to see success across all doubles today, especially at No. 1 doubles for Sophie and Natalie. Abby, at No. 6, came out strong for every game during both sets, resulting in a compelling win. Shay continues to rise up over every opponent she comes across!"

After going 2-0 on the weekend with a commanding 7-0 win today, freshman Abby Johnson said, "I thought the team looked really confident and came out with a lot of energy today to secure the second win for the weekend. I'm really proud of how everyone played."

Junior Sophie Lynch knows the team will take this momentum into the remainder of the season: "Playing Bemidji and Crookston is always a good time. Coming off a short break in competition, it was great to see the girls go out and win some matches! We are looking forward to the next couple of weeks and hope we can ride this wave to the conference tournament!"

The Bulldogs will play four more matches this season before heading to the conference tournament. For the complete 2021 season, click here.