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

ORLANDO, Fla. (Mar. 8, 2025) - Beginning their spring break trip against two ranked opponents, the North Central College women's tennis team fell to both No. 11 Carnegie Mellon University and No. 34 Christopher Newport University on Saturday at the USTA National Campus.

The Cardinals began the day against Carnegie Mellon, dropping all three doubles matches. Abigail Penados and Kensington Payne battled to a 6-3 loss at the top spot, with the Tartans winning 6-2 at No. 2 and No. 3. Carnegie Mellon kept their foot on the gas in singles, winning all matches in straight sets to claim a 7-0 victory over North Central.

In the second match of the day, Penados teamed up with Natalie Bassett to defeat Kylie Schaefer and Raine Weis of Christopher Newport 7-6 (7-4) at No. 1 doubles. The Captains claimed victories at No. 2 and No. 3 to earn the doubles point and take a 1-0 lead heading into singles play.

Penados fell in a hard-fought match at No. 1, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 against Weis. Payne took Schaefer the distance, ultimately falling 6-2, 5-7, 14-12 in the No. 2 fixture. Christopher Newport won in straight sets at No, 3-No. 6 to secure a 7-0 win over the Cardinals.

North Central takes on Oglethorpe University (11 a.m. (ET)) and No. 39 Haverford College (3:30 p.m. (ET) tomorrow to continue their spring break trip.

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