MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's women's tennis team secured a berth in the Midwest Conference Tournament, leaving no doubt about it in a pair of 9-0 dual wins over Lawrence and Ripon at home Saturday.
 
Coach Trent Schneider's Rams were dominant in climbing to 7-3 overall and 4-1 in the MWC with one meet remaining this fall. Cornell stands third in the league race behind Grinnell (5-0 MWC) and Lake Forest (5-1 MWC).
 
The two wins qualify the Rams for the four-team MWC Tournament in April.   
 
First-year Tansy Graves dropped only four total games all day at No. 1 singles, highlighted by a 6-0, 6-0 sweep over Ripon. Sister Mac Graves also scored two straight-set wins at the No. 2 position, improving her season record to 12-4.
 
Audrey Small at No. 3, Isabella Wallin at No. 4, Makayla Johnson at No. 5 and Ashley Mink at No. 6 also went 2-0 in singles play.
 
Cornell's No. 1 doubles tandem of Mac Graves and Johnson won 8-5 over Lawrence and 8-2 over Ripon. They moved to 7-3 as partners this season.
 
No. 2 pair Tansy Graves/Mink rolled 8-2 and 8-0. No. 3 partners Small and Reagan Hines coasted 8-1 and 8-0, boosting their season record to 7-3.
     
Coming up – The Rams close out the regular season Sunday with an 11 a.m. dual meet at league leader Grinnell.