OWATONNA, Minn. - The Hamline women's tennis team (0-1) started the 2021 season with a 6-3 loss to Wartburg (11-2) on Saturday afternoon at Owatonna Tennis Center. The Knights already had 10 wins coming into today's matchup, facing the Pipers in their season-opener.
 
HU had three first years win matches during the contest, as Lily Vang, Jersi McAlpine, and Peyton Buerman all recorded victories. Vang played in the No. 4 singles spot, winning 6-3, 6-1 over opponent Ambriel Jacobs. McAlpine was in the No. 5 slot, battling back after a first set loss, winning set two 6-4 and then winning the tie-breaker set 10-5. In No. 6 singles, Buerman was victorious, 6-2, 6-3.
 
First year Taylor Vyskocil put up a good fight in No. 1 singles, falling 6-4, 6-3 to Madison Overmann. Junior Taylor Hopkins also took games off her opponent in No. 2 singles, losing 6-1, 6-3. No. 3 singles needed a tie-breaker set to decide, with Janie Schwartz coming up just short with a 6-1, 0-6, 0-1 final.
 
In doubles, Vyskocil and Vang teamed up in the No. 1 spot, taking four games off of their opponents, but falling 8-4. Hopkins and McAlpine played in the No. 2 spot and Schwartz and Buerman played in the No. 3 spot, with both teams trailing their opponents 8-1.
 
The Pipers are back in action next weekend, taking on Minnesota State - Mankato in an afternoon match at Owatonna Tennis Center on March 14.