Box Score DUBUQUE – Cornell's women's tennis team had a near-perfect return to the courts Wednesday with an 8-1 triumph over the University of Dubuque.
Coach Peter Dumas' young squad had four first-year players contribute in the season opener, delayed a few weeks due to COVID-19 precautions.
Sophomore transfer Liv Aractingi (SO/Kansas City, Mo.) went 2-0 in her Ram debut, highlighted by an 8-7 (2) comeback win at No. 1 doubles. Aractingi and partner Emmaline Fievet (JR/Bend, Ore.) rallied from a 6-3 deficit in the match.
No. 1 singles player Aractingi also prevailed 6-7, 6-3, 10-7 in a battle with Alyssa Stevenson for Cornell's final win of the night.
The Rams took all three doubles bouts. Amanda Dragon (JR/Mount Vernon, Iowa) and freshman Noelle Cerone (FR/Steamboat Springs, Colo.) cruised 8-3 at No. 2, while Natalie Brandt (SO/Appleton, Wis.) and freshman Ashley Mink (FR/Akron, Ohio) coasted 8-1 at No. 3.
Fievet (6-2, 6-0 at No. 2), Dragon (6-2, 6-1 at No. 4) and Brandt (6-0, 6-2 at No. 5) all won their singles matches in straight sets to cap their 2-0 nights. Freshman Makayla Johnson won 6-0, 6-0 in her first collegiate match at No. 6 singles.
Coming up – The Rams travel to play rival Coe at 3 p.m. Oct. 1 in Cedar Rapids.
