Box Score HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- Houghton women's tennis picked up its first win of the 2021 season with a 7-2 conference decision over the Utica Pioneers.

Last weekend the Highlanders struggled in their doubles play, but this was not the case this time around. The Highlanders came out swinging, sweeping the doubles for a 3-0 lead. Elise Swanson and Erin Haley took the first doubles position 8-4, Chloe Esch and Maddison Soth won 8-3, and Hialeah Johnson and Tessa Brown battled back from behind to win 8-5. Johnson picked up her first collegiate win in the process.
 
The Highlanders would go right back to work in the windy conditions for singles play. Veteran play in the middle of the lineup would get the Highlanders on the board early. Esch rolled 6-1, 6-2 at third singles, Soth 6-3, 6-2 at the fourth spot, and Brown would close out her opponent at the fifth position 6-2, 6-3. The final match of the day would be Erin Haley in a second singles battle. Haley would work her way through the tough conditions to win her second third set tiebreak of the year 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-6.
 
"I couldn't be more proud of the effort of our team once again," Head Coach Zach Shilvock said after the match. "Doubles was the emphasis in training this week, and the ladies did not disappoint. It was a tough battle today against a solid Utica team in very windy conditions. This team never quits, and I am excited to see where that gritty attitude will lead us moving forward!"
 
Houghton will enjoy their 1-0 conference record (1-2 overall), and will look to improve that record next Saturday when they travel to Russell Sage College.
 
Scores:
 
1^st Doubles: Elise Sawnson/Erin Haley def. Ellen Lyga/Morgan Willis 8-5
 
2^nd Doubles: Chloe Esch/Maddison Soth def. Bianca Bockhaus/Paetra Heeren 8-3
 
3^rd Doubles: Hialeah Johnson/Tessa Brown def. Visctoria Vo/Haley Dekin 8-5
 
 
1 Singles: Ellen Lyga def. Elise Swanson 6-2, 6-0
 
2 Singles: Erin Haley def. Bianca Bockhaus 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 10-6
 
3 Singles: Chloe Esch def. Morgan Willis 6-1, 6-2
 
4 Singles: Maddison Soth def. Paetra Heeren 6-3, 6-2
 
5 Singles Tessa Brown def. Victoria Vo 6-2, 6-3
 
6 Singles: Haley Dekin def. Sophia Yescott 6-0, 7-5