By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
In the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference tennis cross-over match, Niles fell to Marshall from the conference's East Division 7-1 on Monday.
The cross-over matches pitted West Division teams against the teams from the East Division in the same position in the conference standings.
The Vikings' only match victory of the day came at No. 1 doubles, when Heather Dudka and Nicole Negron beat Marshall's first doubles team, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.
At No. 1 singles, Niles' Annalee Nelson won her first set quickly, taking it 6-1. She then lost a close second set 7-6 before falling in the third 6-4.
Mallory Zeigert fell 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. Nicole Weber at No. 3 singles lost 6-1, 6-4, and Christine Hadley lost 6-4, 6-1 in the fourth singles match.
The closest match of the day came at No. 4 doubles. The Vikings' Andrea Gammage and Jessica Brann lost the opening set 7-5, but turned around and won the second by the same score. Marshall won the final set, however, 6-3, to claim the flight.
Samantha Beck and Danielle Lowery lost 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2 doubles. Katie Blaske and Heather Croteau lost for Niles at No. 3 doubles, 6-3, 6-1.
Marshall traveled two hours to get to Niles for the cross-over match.
During the meet, Niles coaches said it was tough to play Marshall because they didn't know much about the team since the school is so far away.
Niles' junior varsity squad traveled to Marshall for a match on Monday. Results were not available at press time.