By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac varsity tennis team won three out of four singles flights to gain a split with visiting Otsego in a Wolverine Conference match on Monday.
Taylor Townsend, Ashley Smith and Shelly Urbanski all picked up straight set victories.
Townsend defeated Kristy Bates 6-3 and 6-1, while Smith blanked Leah Ruesink 6-0 and 6-0. Urbanski defeated Sara Mannikko 6-1 and 6-2.
The Chieftains lone victory in doubles play came from Tonya Scherer and Elizabeth Kolden, who defeated the Otsego No. 2 doubles team of Liz Lampen and Whitney DeYoung, 6-2 and 7-5.
"Our girls gave a great effort," Dowagiac coach Chuck Rubino said. "We need to stay more focused in those three setters. I think it's just a lack of experience. We're getting better each time out and we playing hard."
Dowagiac will be back in action today when it hosts Wolverine Conference foe Comstock in a make-up match. Play is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Otsego…4
Dowagiac…4
Singles
1. Taylor Townsend (D) d. Kristy Bates 6-3, 6-1; 2. Ashley Smith (D) d. Leah Ruesink 6-0, 6-0; 3. Ellen Griggs (O) d. Calie Daniels 6-4, 6-2; 4. Shelly Urbanski (D) d. Sara Mannikko 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Brittany Spencer/Elizabeth Shawaryn (O) d. Kate Duszynski/Kayleigh Sundman 6-4, 6-1; 2. Tonya Scherer/Elizabeth Kolden (D) d. Liz Lampen/Whitney DeYoung 6-2, 7-5; 3. April Leversee/Erica Marshall (O) d. Jessica Robinson/Kate Tryakowski 3-6, 6-2, 6-0; 4. Brittany Bogemal/Hannah Wallace (O) d. Ami Sarao/Kristan Stelmasiak 6-7, 6-2, 6-2