Women's tennis splits to open IIAC play

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson women's tennis team opened Iowa Conference play Saturday by splitting with the Dubuque contingent of the league.

The Storm (3-2, 1-1 Iowa Conference) opened the day with a 6-3 loss to Loras before coming back with a 6-3 win over Dubuque.

Against Dubuque, Simpson got big wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to take control of the match early. The team of Kelli Ehrhardt and Megan Bradley outlasted Marissa Scott and Taylor Fortmann 8-6 at No. 2. At No. 3, Cassidy Bierbrodt and Sidney Griffith held on for an 8-6 win against Stephanie LoCasto and Marissa Rutenbeck.

In singles play, Simpson got wins from Ehrhardt at No. 2, Kelli Greiner at No. 3, Jill Arduser at No. 5 and Bierbrodt at No. 6.

Ehrhardt handled Ashley Schlueter 6-1, 6-1 and Greiner beat LoCasto 6-3, 6-3. Arduser got all she could handle from Scott before closing with a 6-4, 5-7, 10-7 win in the super tiebreaker. Bierbrodt handled Taylor Fortmann 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6 to cap off the win.

Against Loras, Ehrhardt and Bierbrodt earned singles wins for Simpson while Ehrhardt and Bradley came away with a hard-fought, 9-8 win over Kylie DeWees and Caroline Rainey at No. 2 doubles.

Next up for the Storm is a home match agaist Grand view on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 3:30 p.m.