DES MOINES, IA – The Cornell women's tennis team splits over the September 5th weekend, falling in some close matches to the #12 NAIA Morningside Mustangs (3-0) 6-1, and rallying in the afternoon to come out victorious against the Grand View Vikings (1-3) 6-1.

The Rams (4-1) started down the deficit in the doubles point, with tightly fought losses at No.1 and No. 3 doubles, 7-5, and 6-2, respectively. Sophomore Annika Dox and freshman Emmie Kinder recorded the lone doubles win of the morning at No. 2, 6-4.

Singles fell the same way, with straight-set losses at three of the six singles spots. Senior Mac Graves fell at No. 2 in a close tiebreak, 6-7(6), 6-1, 10-6, and Kinder followed similarly at No. 4, 3-6, 7-5, 10-5. Dox fell in a close tiebreak for the first set at No. 5, 7-6 (7), 6-1. Senior Jenna Benkufsky grasped the lone win against the Mustangs at No. 6, 6-3, 6-2.

In the afternoon, the Rams flipped the script against the Vikings and started up with the doubles point with wins at No. 1 from Mac Graves and senior Michaela Clark, 6-2, and at No. 3 from senior Tansy Graves and Benkufsky, 6-3. 

The Rams continued to sweep through singles, recording straight-set wins from four singles spots. Dox came back to claim the final win at No. 5, 1-6, 6-4, 10-2. 

Benkufsky finishes the day, highlighted with a 3-1 tally over the course of the two matches.

Coming up – The Rams travel next weekend to Lake Forest, Ill, and Appleton, Wis., to play Lake Forest College and Lawrence University to open MWC conference play.