Houghton College women's tennis started up their season with a tough opening weekend with 6-3 defeats to Grove City College and SUNY Brockport.

Despite the losses on the scoresheet, Houghton battled hard in each match against quality opponents.

Against Grove City on Friday, senior Erin Haley and junior Elise Swanson led the way. Swanson and Haley teamed up at first doubles to get the Highlanders on the scoresheet with an 8-5 victory. They did not stop there. Swanson would set the tone for the group with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) victory at first ingles, and Haley battled through cramps to come out victorious with a stellar 6-4, 0-6, 10-7 performance at the second position.

With little rest, the Highlanders turned right around for a road trip against Brockport on Saturday. The Golden Eagles would start out strong sweeping the doubles, but Houghton would not let the slow start discourage them. Chloe Esch picked up her first win of the season with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) win at third singles, and Tessa Brown would follow up her strong play on Friday with a 6-1, 7-5 victory at the fifth position for her first win of the season as well. Sophia Yescott would pick up the final victory of the day at sixth singles after her opponent had to default due to injury. Maddison Soth would just fall short at fourth singles in a spirited 5-7, 6-3, 11-9 battle.

"I thought the ladies had a great opening weekend of play against two high quality opponents," Head Coach Zach Shilvock said. "It is never easy playing back to back, especially when both contests are away trips. I think we learned a lot about the identity of our squad, and the defeats showed us the areas we still need to improve in. I am extremely proud of the fight our team showed, and I am excited to go back at it again next week!"

The Highlanders will take the week to regroup and will take on their first conference opponent as they host Utica College on Saturday, September 11.