By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Having already split three matches this season, one would think that a 4-4 draw on Wednesday against Lakeshore in a Big 16 Conference West Division match would not make the Dowagiac varsity tennis team happy.
You would be wrong.
Dowagiac (0-3-4) was pleased with its fourth tie of the season because it came in a West Division match and it came against a squad it has never beaten and lost a 7-1 decision to in 2003.
Dowagiac was able to sweep the singles competition as it has in many matches this season, but it wasn't easy.
The first measure of revenge for the Chieftains came at No. 1 singles where Lisa Rubino defeated Kaelyn Althoff in straight sets after losing to her last season.
Barbara Laing avenged a loss to cousin Blair Laing at No. 2 singles, but it wasn't easy.
Blair Laing won the first set easily, 6-1. Barbara Laing then rallied to take the next two sets and the match. Barbara Laing won the second set 6-1 and then the third set, 6-2.
Ashley Urbanski won a tough first set tiebreaker, rallying from a 4-2 deficit. She then completed the straight sets victory with a dominating service game.
Anne O'Keefe also won a tough straight set victory to give Dowagiac the tie.
Lakeshore scored easy wins in all four doubles flights, but Rubino said he sees improvement each time out.
Dowagiac, which finished third at the Parchment Invitational on Saturday and swept all four singles championships, will compete in the Brandywine Invitational on Saturday.
Lakeshore…4
Dowagiac…4
Singles
1. Lisa Rubino (D) d. Kaelyn Althoff 6-1, 6-2; 2. Barbara Laing (D) d. Blair Laing 1-6, 6-1, 6-2; 3. Ashley Urbanski (D) d. Jordan Rajewski 7-6, 6-2; 4. Anne O'Keefe (D) d. Katie Corbett 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. Caitlyn Slevin/Amanda Dosch (L) d. Amelia First/Taylor Townsend 6-1, 6-3; 2. Chelsea Knauf/Stacy Jones (L) d. Calie Daniels/Lindsay Tyler 6-0, 6-1; 3. Christie Packer/Carly Knauf (L) d. Kim Rutkowski/Ashley Smith 6-0, 6-0; 4. Courtney Slevin/Michelle Tucker (L) d. Samantha Harris/Kelli Schaus 6-3, 6-1