By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
In a marathon match Wednesday afternoon, the Dowagiac varsity tennis team tied with host Three Rivers in a Wolverine Conference clash.
All four doubles flights were three-set matches, as was the No. 3 singles match.
Despite the tie, Dowagiac was able to come away from the match feeling good about its progress this season.
"First of all, it was a great team effort," Dowagiac coach Chuck Rubino said. "Our doubles teams all played well. Those matches could have gone either way. We are showing some improvement in our doubles and that's a good sign."
Taylor Townsend and Shelly Urbanski, who moved up to No. 3 singles due to the absence of Calie Daniels on Wednesday, picked up victories in singles for Dowagiac.
The Chieftains picked up victories in the doubles flights with Samantha Stone and Jessica Robinson at No. 2, and Katie Tyrakowski and Kristan Stelmasiak at No. 4.
Townsend defeated Morgan Weaver at No. 1 singles, 6-4 and 6-2. The win avenged a loss to Weaver at the Chieftain Invitational last week when Townsend had to retire in the first set due to illness.
"That was a good match for her to get under her belt," Rubino said. "She got to get a little revenge today."
Urbanski defeated Holly Malinoski at No. 3 singles, 6-7, 6-2 and 6-1.
"Shelly did a great job stepping up," Rubino said.
Stone and Robinson defeated Amanda Ellis and Teri Detmer at No. 2 doubles, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6. Dowagiac won the tiebreaker 11-9 after trailing 6-2 with Three Rivers serving for the match.
"They really battled and came up with the victory," Rubino noted.
Tyrakowski and Stelmasiak defeated Karmaria Thorton and Liz Evans 2-6, 6-4 and 6-4 to earn the split for the Chieftains.
Dowagiac is back in action on Friday as it takes part in the Parchment Invitational at Kalamazoo College's Stowe Stadium.
The Chieftains will complete their match with South Haven which was stopped by rain on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Dowagiac…4
Three Rivers…4
Singles
1. Taylor Townsend (D) d. Morgan Weaver 6-4, 6-2; 2. Jaclyn Sylvian (TR) d. Ashley Smith 6-3, 6-2; 3. Shelly Urbanski (D) d. Holly Malinoski 6-7, 6-2, 6-1; 4. Leah Barnes (TR) d. Tonya Scherer 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
1. Ashley Kellermeir/Jenna Phelps (TR) d. Kate Duszynski/Kayleigh Sundman 5-7, 6-2, 6-1; 2. Samantha Stone/Jessica Robinson (D) d. Amanda Ellis/Teri Detmer 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (11-9); 3. Justina White/Trere Drayton (TR) d. Elizabeth Kolden/Ami Sarao 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4); 4. Katie Tyrakowski/Kristan Stelmasiak (D) d. Kamaria Thorton/Liz Evans 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
Record
Dowagiac 0-1-1