By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac girls' tennis team dropped a 6-2 non-league decision to host Lakeshore Monday afternoon in its season opener.
Dowagiac's lone victories came at No. 2 and No. 4 singles.
Ashley Smith defeated Lauren Rajewski, 2-6, 6-4 and 6-1, at No. 2 doubles.
Shelly Urbanski defeated Katie Gerscnoffer, 6-3 and 6-2 at No. 4 singles.
"Ashley Smith did a heckuva job coming back after losing that first set," Dowagiac coach Chuck Rubino said. "Shelly, who was also playing for the first time at singles, got ahead and stayed ahead."
Rubino added that for their first match of the season, he would give his squad a 'B.'
"Lakeshore already had a match under their belt," he said. "We were a little tight. Our doubles need to get a little more aggressive, especially at the net. We have to get a little more consistent with our serves. We have to become more focused for the entire match. We need to stay on task a little longer."
Rubino said he was pleased with his squad for its first match. He expects to see improvement on Wednesday when the Chieftains host their own invitational tournament.
Dowagiac will host Constantine, Buchanan and Three Rivers. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
In junior varsity action on Monday, Dowagiac fell to Lakeshore 5-3.
Winning matches for the Chieftains were Brianne Emmons and Ami Sarao at No. 1 doubles, Macy Howard and Marquira Smith at No. 2 doubles and Chelsea Allison at No. 3 singles.
Also playing on Monday for the Chieftains were Amanda Bedell and Karissa Bannow at No. 3 doubles, Marrissa Tidey and Tori Gaideski at No. 4 doubles, Alex Schuster at No. 1 singles, Michelle Dowsett at No. 2 singles and Amanda Cross at No. 4 singles.
Dowagiac…2
Lakeshore…6
Singles
1. Claire Krieger (L) d. Taylor Townsend, 6-4, 7-5; 2. Ashley Smith (D) d. Lauren Rajweski, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1; 3. Monica Koscik (L) d. Calie Daniels, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4; 4. Shelly Urbanski (D) d. Katie Gerschoffer, 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
1. Lane Blackmeer/Sunny Tackett (L) d. Kate Duszynski/Kayleigh Sundman, 6-1, 6-2; 2. Courtney Sievin/Courtney Fitchnik (L) d. Tonya Scherer/Elizabeth Kolden, 6-2, 3-6, 6-0; 3. Hannah Schenker/Steph Muller (L) d. Jessica Robinson/Samantha Stone, 7-6 (7-4), 6-0; 4. Kate Welke/Angela Chissar (L) d. Katie Tyrakowski.Kristan Stelmasiak 6-1, 6-3
Records
Dowagiac 0-1; Lakeshore 2-0