Simpson women’s tennis blanks Dubuque in opener

INDIANOLA, Iowa -- It did not take long for the Simpson women's tennis team to shake off the rust in its first contest since March 12, 2020 as the Storm cruised to a 9-0 victory over Dubuque on Saturday inside the Buxton Tennis Complex.

"The entire team played phenomenal for a great showing across the board," said head coach Faith Bliss. "The team was excited to finally play a match after five weeks of practice."

The Storm's (1-0, 0-1 A-R-C) blanking of the Spartans (1-5, 1-4 A-R-C) is the programs first against an American Rivers Conference opponent since a 9-0 win over Buena Vista on Sept. 10, 2018. 

Simpson jumped out to a quick lead after the pair of senior Lorin Miller and sophomore Donni Kinghorn swept Dubuque's No. 3 doubles duo, 8-0. Juniors Emily King and Anna Wanek wasted no time in securing their first victory as a pair at No. 1 singles for Simpson. The tandem of Megan Grubb and Kennedi Wright increased the advantage to 3-0 after an 8-3 win.

In singles play, King grabbed the first set, 6-0, before allowing Dubuque's Ta'Dazja Perkins to win a game in set two, but held on to win 6-1. Kinghorn started her sophomore slate with a triumph at No. 5 singles as her victory lifted the Storm over the barrier to win the match.

Wanek made her Simpson debut on Saturday at No. 1 singles and showed off her skills by earning a 6-0 victory in the first set. Wanek allowed Alyssa Stevenson to win a game in set two, but that's all she would allow on the way to a 6-1 triumph. Freshman Aubrey Ocheltree made her collegiate debut as well for the Storm to defeat Cessli D'Antonio, 6-1, 6-1 in No. 6 singles action.

Wright was the lone singles player to drop a set, but fought back to win 10-5 in the third to seal the sweep over Dubuque. 

"Donni Kinghorn and Lorin Miller had a strong showing at No. 3 doubles," Bliss said. "Anna Wanek and Emily King are a tough doubles team to make an impressive pair as well. Emily King showed her singles dominance by being the first player done with her match at No. 2 singles, while Kennedi Wright showed her ability to mix up her style of play when she played a tough off-pace match."

Up Next
American Rivers Conference competition resumes for the Storm on Friday at Wartburg (5-0, 3-0 A-R-C). The match will begin at 4 p.m. in Waverly, Iowa.

Simpson 9, Dubuque 0
Singles Competition
1. Anna Wanek (SIM) def. Alyssa Stevenson, 6-0, 6-1
2. Emily King (SIM) def. Ta'Dazja Perkins, 6-0, 6-1
3. Megan Grubb (SIM) def. Lauren Colon, 6-4, 6-1
4. Kennedi Wright (SIM) def. Patient Jabbah, 6-4, 4-6, 10-5
5. Donni Kinghorn (SIM) def. Kate Mar, 6-1, 6-1
6. Aubrey Ocheltree (SIM) def. Cessli D'Antonio, 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Anna Wanek/Emily King (SIM) def. Alyssa Stevenson/Ta'Dazja Perkins, 8-1
2. Megan Grubb/Kennedi Wright (SIM) def. Lauren Colon/Patient Jabbah, 8-3
3. Lorin Miller/Donni Kinghorn (SIM) def. Kate Mar/Cessli D'Antonio, 8-0

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (2,5,1,6,3,4)