BISMARCK, ND – In a close contest that came down to the last match of the day, the University of Mary tennis team earned a 4-3 win over the visiting University of Sioux Falls when Julie Donnelly locked down the Marauders victory in the #6 singles match.
 
The victory over the Cougars gives the Marauders a split on the opening weekend of the season. UMary is 1-1 overall and 1-1 in the Northern Sun. USF is 0-2 and 0-2.
 
With all the doubles and singles matchups wrapped up and the match tied 3-3, Donnelly and Rachel Klatt were the last two players still competing. After taking the opening set in convincing fashion at 6-2, Donnelly jumped out to a fast lead in the second. Needing to win to force a third set, Klatt fired back late and pulled within a set at 5-4. Unrattled by Klatt's run, Donnelly coolly finished off her USF opponent to claim a straight set 6-2, 6-4 victory and secure the Marauders inaugural win of the season.
 
The Marauders opened the day in impressive fashion, taking two of three in doubles play to earn the first team point of the afternoon. The combination of Tasha Dembo and Kelsey Lajom claimed a 6-3 win at #1 doubles and Danielle Wof and Jamie Stoppler teamed up for a 6-2 victory at #2 doubles.
 
Stoppler continued the Marauders momentum into singles play. The freshman dominated play at #3 singles, earning a straight set 6-0, 6-1 victory.
 
UMary then turned to its all-conference performer at the top of the lineup. Dembo opened with a hotly-contested 6-4 win over Chloe Jeffries in the opening set of #1 singles and then had to fight off a late challenge to win the second set 7-6. With Dembo holding a late lead, Jeffries fought back to even the set 6-6 before the Marauders sophomore answered the challenge to win the point and take the set.
 
After winning in doubles, Wolf played the longest singles match of the day. The UMary junior claimed the second set to even the match but fell just short in the third as Victoria Ambrosia-Cueto edged Wolf 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
 
The Marauders play three matches on the road next week I Mankato, MN, where UMary will face Minnesota State on Feb. 15, Gustavus Adolphus Feb. 16, and Southwest Minnesota State University on Feb. 17.
 
Singles Results
1. Tasha Dembo (MARY) def. Chloe Jefferies (USF), 6-4, 7-6
2. Megan Quandt (USF) over Kelsey Lajom (MARY), 6-1, 6-1
3. Jamie Stoppler (MARY) def. Lexi Miller (USF), 6-0, 6-1
4. Victoria Ambrosio-Cueto (USF) over Danielle Wolf (MARY), 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
5. Joelle Thorfinnson (USF) def. Kali Askvig (MARY), 6-3, 6-3
6. Julie Donnelly (MARY) def. Rachel Klatt (USF), 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles Results
1. Dembo/Lajom (MARY) def. Jefferies/Miller (USF), 6-3
2. Wolf/Stoppler (MARY) def. Quandt/Ambrosio-Cueto (USF), 6-2
3. Thorfinnson/Klatt (USF) def. Donnelly, Julie/Askvig, Kali (MARY), 6-2
 
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