Storm blank Coe to advance to A-R-C AQ Tournament Semifinals
INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson College women's tennis squad opened its first appearance in the American Rivers Conference Automatic Qualifier Tournament since the 2015-16 campaign with a 5-0 win over Coe on Tuesday.
The Storm (11-6) are playing as the No. 3 seed in this year's tournament, while the Kohawks (9-10) were No. 6 after last winning the event during the 2017-18 season.
The tandem of Anna Wanek and Emily King cruised to an 8-0 victory at No. 1 doubles. This is the fifth time this season the duo has blanked their doubles foe.
Megan Grubb and Aubrey Ocheltree collected Simpson's second triumph in the No. 3 slot. Donni Kinghorn and Kennedi Wright prevailed 8-6 to clinch the No. 2 doubles bout to help the squad sweep.
In singles action, Ocheltree collected the first win for the Storm. The freshman won the first set 6-1 and closed with a 6-2 frame to put the team within one victory of advancing.
Grubb defeated Michaela Pinto in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0, to secure the shutout.
With both A-R-C squads playing for the first one to win five matches, Simpson was ahead in the other four contests before Grubb won. Wanek won her first set 6-4 and was leading 5-2 at No. 1. Kinghorn (No. 5) and Wright (No. 4) won their first sets and were both ahead 5-2 in the second. King (No. 2) dropped her first set, but rebounded to win her second to force a third.
Up Next
Simpson takes on No. 2 Wartburg on Friday in Decorah, Iowa for a 4 p.m. match in the A-R-C Automatic Qualifier Tournament Semifinals. The winner will advance to take on the winner between No. 1 Luther and No. 4 Central in the championship on Saturday.
Singles competition
1. Anna Wanek (SIM) vs. Eliza Sundermann, 6-4, 5-2, unfinished
2. Emily King (SIM) vs. Emma Lassen, 2-6, 6-3, 3-2, unfinished
3. Megan Grubb (SIM) def. Michaela Pinto, 6-2, 6-0
4. Kennedi Wright (SIM) vs. Janie Lapray, 6-4, 5-2, unfinished
5. Donni Kinghorn (SIM) vs. Mikayla Heath, 6-2, 5-2, unfinished
6. Aubrey Ocheltree (SIM) def. Bryonna Clay, 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Anna Wanek/Emily King (SIM) def. Janie Lapray/Eliza Sundermann, 8-0
2. Donni Kinghorn/Kennedi Wright (SIM) def. Emma Lassen/Mikayla Heath, 8-6
3. Megan Grubb/Aubrey Ocheltree (SIM) def. Michaela Pinto/Abby Mau, 8-4
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,3)
