College Roundup

WINONA LAKE - Kari Hueni won a pair of matches, including a clinching three-set singles match, as the Grace College women's tennis team moved to 2-0 in the Mid-Central Conference with a 5-4 win over visiting St. Francis Tuesday.

With Grace looking for the fifth team point to win the match, Hueni dropped the opening set at No. 4 singles 6-4 and trailed 3-0 in the second set. She bounced back to win six of seven games to take the second set by a 6-4 score and completed the comeback with a 6-4 win in the third set.

Grace showed its depth in the match, winning at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, as well as the No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches.

Hueni paired up with Juli Linton to win a tiebreak at No. 2 doubles, 9-8 (7-3), while Amber Needles and Brianne Beach won 8-3 at No. 3 doubles to give Grace a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.

In singles play, Beach rolled to a 6-2, 6-3 win in the No. 5 slot and Needles won 7-6 (11-9), 6-3 in the No. 6 slot. Hueni, Needles and Beach are all now 2-0 in conference play in singles.

Grace improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in the MCC with the win. The Lancers have never won more than two conference matches in a season in the history of the program and look to surpass the mark Saturday at home against Spring Arbor. Action begins at 11 a.m.

GRACE 5, ST. FRANCIS 4

Singles

No. 1 - Britney Delaney (SF) def. Anna Metz 6-0, 6-3

No. 2 - Krista Van Lue (SF) def. Sarah Peters 6-3, 6-2

No. 3 - Sarah Eckert (SF) def. Juli Linton 6-4, 2-6, 6-4

No. 4 - Kari Huein (G) def. Leia Prezbindowski 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

No. 5 - Brianne Beach (G) def. Dana Driscoll 6-2, 6-3

No. 6 - Amber Needles (G) def. Jennifer Johnson 7-6 (11-9), 6-3

Doubles

No. 1 - Delaney/Van Lue (SF) def. Metz/Peters 8-5

No. 2 - Hueni/Linton (G) def. Eckert/Prezbindownski 9-8 (7-3)

No. 3 - Needles/Beach (G) def. Driscoll/Johnson 8-3

Exhibition

Catey Etner/Jen Hart (G) def. Holly Scherher/Megan Chenault 9-7

VOLLEYBALL

UPLAND - Just a year after going 4-23 on the season and winless in Mid-Central Conference play, the Grace College volleyball team has already proven that it will be a factor in the conference race this year. The Lady Lancers opened MCC play Tuesday night with a hard-fought four game loss to conference favorite Taylor 30-12, 30-26, 28-30, 30-24. Taylor, ranked No. 24 by the NAIA, jumped out to a quick 30-12 win in the opening game, but Grace responded in a big way. The Lady Lancers lost the second game 30-26 before knocking off the Trojans in game three. Taylor clinched the match in the fourth game with a 30-24 win.

Jessica Hicks led Grace with 15 kills, followed by Stephanie Ingraham's 10 kills and a team-high 14 digs. Amber Birkey had 36 assists and seven digs. Anna Flint added a team-best four blocks.

Grace drops to 4-7 overall and 0-1 in the Mid-Central Conference. The Lady Lancers will play at the Defiance Invitational Friday and Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.

TAYLOR DEF. GRACE, 30-12, 30-26, 28-30, 30-24

(Grace Leaders)

Kills - Jessica Hicks 15, Stephanie Ingraham 10, Lynette Wilcox 8

Assists - Amber Birkey 36

Aces - Amber Birkey 1

Digs - Stephanie Ingraham 14

Blocks - Anna Flint 4, Lynette Wilcox 3, Jessica Hicks 3