Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

MADISON, Wis. (Apr. 1, 2022) - Competing in the Midwest Invitational for the first time, the North Central College women's tennis team lost a closely contested battle to Grinnell College 5-4 on Friday afternoon at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Cardinals took control early as Hannah Hougland and Alaina Kanthaphixay downed the 14th ranked doubles team in the region, Sabrina Tang and Irene Agusti, 8-6 at No. 1 doubles. The tandem of Kaeli Smashey and Natalie Bassett earned an 8-3 win before Sydney Sawyer and Mikayla Edquiban.

Grinnell came out firing in singles play by winning five of the six matches to clinch the victory. Hougland sent to three sets and won 6-4, 6-7, 10-8 at No. 2 singles, posting the lone North Central win in singles action.

The Cardinals take on Kenyon College tomorrow morning in the back draws of the Midwest Invitational. The match is set to begin at 8 AM at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.

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