The Grinnell College women's tennis team will look to some experienced players as it prepares to win its fifth Midwest Conference title in a row in 2008.

Among the key returnees are Katie Colver '09, Maya Lipert '09 and Jill Akiyama '10. Colver and Lipert combined to win the No. 2 doubles title at the 2007 MWC Championships. Lipert was also the No. 3 singles champ and Colver the No. 4 singles champ. Akiyama won the No. 6 singles title.

Colver and Lipert combined to post a 14-5 doubles record last season. In singles, Colver was 19-3, Lipert posted an 11-3 mark and Akiyama was 20-3.

Other returnees for Grinnell include Curran Johnson '09 (4-4 singles mark in 2007), Kelsey Picken '10, Lindsay Smith '09 (0-1), Jessica Byerly '11, Elizabeth Montgomery '11 and Elizabeth Spears '11 (1-0).

"We have a nice core group returning with starters Maya Lipert, Katie Colver and Jill Akiyama," said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton '85, who was the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year last season in his first year of guiding the team. "Last year this trio played No. 3, 4 and 5/6 in singles, respectively. Additionally, Curran Johnson and Kelsey Picken played all seven of our spring matches, Curran at No. 6 singles and Kelsey with Jill at No. 3 doubles."

Hamilton said there will be strong additions from newcomers, as well. "There are two known first-year additions to the team in Toby Cain from Edwardsville, Ill, and Tatyana Sukharnikova of Simi Valley, Calif. Toby is a very strong doubles player who advanced to the Illinois State Tournament all four years, and she has good potential as a singles player. Tatyana played No. 1 singles at her high school in tennis-tough southern California.

"The challenge for this squad will be to figure out two doubles teams and work out the singles lineup," Hamilton added. "In singles we know that Jill, Maya and Katie are tremendous competitors and I expect both Tatyana and Toby to work into the lineup immediately. With Toby's doubles strength we also know that she'll be part of a good duo to go along with our three-year pair of Katie and Maya."

Hamilton is hoping the experience and incoming talent leads to yet another successful campaign. "Our program is coming off four straight league titles, but we have a lot of holes," he said. "In time and with some practice, I think we could develop into one of the better teams in the Midwest Conference this fall."

In doubles action, Coe's teams of Molly Fiala-Andrea Schupbach, Hillary Allen-Hannah Jensen and Katy Delagardelle-Megan Fiala beat Grinnell's tandems of Camila Alarcon '08-Susan Klumpner '08 (8-2 score), Katie Colver '09-Margaret Block '08 (8-3 score) and Jill Akiyama '10-Kelsey Picken '10 (8-5 score). Coe sewed up the win in singles play, as Molly Fiala beat Alarcon 6-0, 6-0 and Jensen defeated Klumpner 6-1, 6-2.

Coe is now 23-3 and will meet Wheaton College (Ill.) in the semifinals on Friday. The Pioneers finished at 17-5.

Five Pioneers who participated in singles play Thursday finished the season with double-digit victories - Akiyama (20-3), Alarcon (14-10), Block (20-4), Colver (19-3) and Klumpner (15-8). Alarcon and Klumpner were 4-6 in doubles, Colver and Block finished 3-5 and Akiyama and Picken went 4-3.
"We ran into a good team today in Coe, but I was pleased how comfortable and confident our women were in a big regional match," said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. "We exhibited pretty strong play for the most part and were on top of our games. The program is going to miss seniors Susan Klumpner, Camila Alarcon and Margaret Block, but we do have a nice core of Katie Colver, Jill Akiyama, Curran Johnson and Kelsey Picken returning from this regional team.

"The goal now is to prepare through the off-season so we can make another run at the Midwest Conference title and defend our string of four championships in a row,? he added. ?All in all, going 17-5 in duals, winning the conference title in the fall and competing in regionals today is a very successful season for our program."
Coe 5, Grinnell 0

Grinnell, 17-4 overall this season and 5-2 during spring action, takes on 20th-ranked Coe College at noon. Coe enters the match with a 22-3 record. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (20-8) meets St. Scholastica (13-3) in Thursday's other match.

The Grinnell/Coe winner takes on Wheaton College of Illinois (21-3) at noon Friday, while the host school (22-8) meets the UW-Whitewater/St. Scholastic winner in the other semifinal. The championship is at noon Saturday, with that winner advancing to the NCAA Team Championships.

Grinnell players have combined for a .747 winning percentage in singles play. No. 1 player Camila Alarcon '08 owns a 14-9 mark, while second-seed Susan Klumpner '08 is 15-7. Others with double-digit wins are Katie Colver '09 (19-3), Jill Akiyama '10 (20-3) and Margaret Block '08 (20-4).

Molly Fiala is Coe's top player and ranked sixth in the Central Region. Teammate Hannah Jensen is ranked 13th. The doubles team of Fiala and Andrea Schupbach are ranked sixth in the region.
For more information, please see: http://gustavus.edu/athletics/mt/archives/2008/NCAA/

In the win over North Central, Grinnell swept singles play with wins by Camila Alarcon '08, Susan Klumpner '08, Katie Colver '09, Jill Akiyama '10, Curran Johnson '09 and Elizabeth Spears '11. Both Colver and Akiyama lost just two games on the day. The doubles teams of Alarcon-Klumpner and Kelsey Picken '10 and Elizabeth Montgomery '11 also won. In the Cornell contest, Grinnell's singles winners were Klumpner, Colver, Akiyama and Block. Akiyama won all but one game and Block two. In doubles, Colver and Block posted an 8-1 win and Akiyama and Picken were also victorious.

Akiyama and Block have both reached the 20-win plateau for the season, with Akiyama sporting a 20-3 mark and Block 20-4. Colver improved to 19-3 in singles play, Klumpner is 15-7 and Alarcon is at 14-9.

Grinnell vs. North Central
Grinnell vs. Cornell

Grinnell brings a 15-4 mark into the contest Wednesday's 6-3 victory over Central College, a contest in which the Pioneers won all six singles matches. Grinnell's top player Camila Alarcon '08 has a 13-8 singles mark and No. 2 player Susan Klumpner '08 is 13-7. Others in double-digit wins are Katie Colver '09 (17-3), Jill Akiyama '10 (18-3) and Margaret Block '08 (19-4).

North Central is 12-5 in the 2007-08 dual season, but just 2-0 this spring with wins over the University of St. Francis and Lake Forest College. Alicia DeGrado and Kelly Hatch have split time at No. 1 singles, with DeGrado owning a 12-9 overall mark and Hatch an 11-5 record. Others in double-digit wins for North Central are Melissa Lewis (15-5), Allison Paschold (13-5) and Christine Heyd (10-4). In doubles play, Lewis and Paschold are 10-6 and DeGrado and Hatch are 10-3.

Cornell brings an 8-9 record into the day. Pavla Brachova, the team's top player, is 13-3 on the season. She and Caryl Abeyta are 13-3 in doubles.

Pioneers posting singles wins were Camila Alarcon '08, Susan Klumpner '08, Katie Colver '09, Jill Akiyama '10, Margaret Block '08 and Curran Johnson '09. Colver lost just one game on the day, while Alarcon and Klumpner each won in two sets, as well.

With the wins, Alarcon is 13-8 on the season, Klumpner owns a 13-7 mark, Colver is 17-3, Akiyama is 18-3, Block is 19-4 and Johnson is 3-3. As a team, Grinnell improved to 15-4.

Grinnell's next action is Sunday with a pair of duals at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. The Pioneers take on North Central (Ill.) at 1 p.m. and then meet the host school at 4 p.m.
Box Score

Singles winners for the Pioneers were Camila Alarcon '08, Susan Klumpner '08, Katie Colver '09, Jill Akiyama '10 and Margaret Block '08. Winning in doubles were the teams of Alarcon-Klumpner, Colver-Block and Akiyama-Kelsey Picken '10.

“Getting off to a great start in doubles sets the table for a very good match for our women,” said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. “A real difference in the match for us was the ability of our women to play in the wind and cold. I saw all of our players make nice adjustments. While I was pleased with the play of all the women, I though Katie Colver exhibited strong execution in all facets of her game.”

Alarcon is 12-8 on the season in singles play, while Klumpner improved to 12-7, Colver to 16-3, Akiyama to 17-3 and Block to 18-4. In doubles, Alarcon and Klumpner are 3-3, Colver and Block are 2-2 and Akiyama and Picken improved to 3-1.
Box Score

In the win over the College of St. Catherine, the Pioneers got singles wins from Camila Alarcon '08, Katie Colver '09, Margaret Block '08, Jill Akiyama '10 and Curran Johnson '09. Doubles wins came from the teams of Colver-Block and Akiyama-Kelsey Picken '10. Against Hamilton, the Pioneers got a singles victory from Jill Akiyama '10 at the No. 5 slot and the tandems of Alarcon and Susan Klumpner '08 at No. 1 doubles and Akiyama and Kelsey Picken '10 at No. 3 doubles.
Hamilton Box Score
College of St. Catherine Box Score

Grinnell College's Andy Hamilton has been named the Midwest Conference Women's Tennis Coach of the Year for the 2007 campaign.

In his first year leading the squad, the Pioneers won the MWC team crown as well as the singles-doubles team title. Grinnell went 3-0 in the South Division of the league and 6-0 against all league foes during the regular season before blanking both Carroll College and St. Norbert College by identical 5-0 scores in the MWC Tournament Friday. Grinnell finished with an overall dual mark of 12-2.

The Pioneers won two of three MWC doubles titles on Saturday and four of six singles crowns on Sunday.

The Grinnell College women's tennis team has done it again.

Two days after winning the Midwest Conference team title, the Pioneers have also claimed the team doubles-singles crown.

After a strong showing in doubles play Saturday, the Pioneers had another solid showing in singles Sunday in Madison, Wis. The Pioneers won titles at No. 3 (Maya Lipert '09), No. 4 (Katie Colver '08), No. 5 (Margaret Block '08) and No. 6 (Jill Akiyama '10). It was Colver's third MWC singles title in a row, while Block and Akiyama have won two straight.

Camila Alarcon '08 and Susan Klumpner '08 advanced to the semifinals at No. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Grinnell tallied 90 team points, well ahead of runner-up St. Norbert's 60.

No. 1 Singles
First round-Camila Alarcon (G) def. Hanah McCarthy (Lawrence), 7-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Semifinals-Alli Berry (Lake Forest) def. Alarcon, 6-3, 6-3.
No. 2 Singles
First round-Susan Klumpner (G) def. Jessica Wise (Knox), 6-3, 7-6.
Semifinals-Lauren Post (SN) def. Klumpner 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.
No. 3 Singles
Semifinals-Maya Lipert (G) def. Arielle Dennis (Ripon), 6-0, 6-1.
Championship-Lipert def. Samantha Bachmann (Carroll), 6-2, 6-2.
No. 4 Singles
First round-Katie Colver (G) def. Iona O'Donnell (Lake Forest), 6-4, 6-0.
Semifinals-Colver def. Julia Win (Beloit), 6-0, 6-3.
Championship-Colver def. Emily McElhaney (St. Norbert), 6-0, 6-2.
No. 5 Singles
First round-Margaret Block (G) def. Lily Rubenstein (Beloit), 6-1, 6-2.
Semifinals-Block def. Emily Isaacs (Monmouth), 6-0, 6-0.
Championship-Block def. Mindy Benz (Carroll), 6-1, 7-5.
No. 6 Singles
First round-Jill Akiyama (G) def. Jen Ewa (Knox), 6-1, 6-0.
Semifinals-Akiyama def. Michelle Stroner (Lake Forest), 6-0, 6-1.
Championship-Akiyama def. Emily Kent (Lawrence), 6-4, 6-1.

Two Grinnell College women's doubles tennis teams won Midwest Conference titles Saturday night in Madison, Wis.

Maya Lipert '09 and Katie Colver '09 claimed the No. 2 doubles crown, while Camila Alarcon '08 and Margaret Block '08 were champs at No. 3.

Lipert and Colver, the top seed and defending champs, beat Knox 6-0, 6-1 and then Lake Forest College 6-3, 7-5 in the semifinals. They followed that with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Carroll College. Alarcon and Block, also the top seed, blanked the team from Knox 6-0, 6-0 and topped Carroll 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals. That was followed with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over the squad from Lawrence University.

Grinnell's No. 1 doubles team, the fourth-seeded duo of Susan Klumpner '08 and Rachel Engh '08, went 1-1 at the tourney. They opened the day with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Lawrence and then lost 6-1, 6-0 to the top-seeded team from Beloit College.

"I felt all the doubles teams had good moments," said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. "I'm pleased that each held their seeds and we're looking forward to singles play."

The MWC Singles Championships are set for Sunday. Four members of this year's Grinnell team won MWC singles titles last year - Engh '08 (No. 2 singles), Colver '09 (No. 4), Block '08 (No. 5) and Jill Akiyama '10 (No. 6).

The Grinnell College women's tennis team won the Midwest Confernece title Friday afternoon with a 5-0 win over St. Norbert.

In the semifinals, Grinnell beat Carroll College 5-0. The Pioneers swept through doubles play with victories by the teams of Susan Klumpner '08-Rachel Engh '08, Maya Lipert '09-Katie Colver '08 and Camila Alarcon '08-Margaret Block '08. Winning singles matches to secure the victory were Alarcon and Klumpner.

In the title match, Grinnell again posted a 5-0 win. Doubles winners were the teams of Engh-Klumpner, Colver-Lipert and Alarcon-Block. Colver and Jill Akiyama posted singles victories.

"I'm pleased for the women in this program that they were able to carve an uprecendented fourth conference title today," said coach Andy Hamilton. "Our play was strong and confident. We were definitely in championship form.

"Rachel Engh, Camila Alarcon and Margaret Block were three seniors who were involved in four team championships and Susan Klumpner in three. Doubles were extremely important today. I was pleased to see Susan and Rachel come from behind after trailing 5-2 in the first set. Of course, we had the usual steady play at No. 2 doubles and the No. 3 doubles team of Camila and Magaret also willed themselves to victory. I know the players are excited to compete the rest of the weekend."

Grinnell 5, St. Norbert 0
Doubles- Rachel Engh-Susan Klumpner def. Katie O'Brien and Lauren Post 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 6-1; Katie Colver-Maya Lipert def. Gina Mischke-Jill Warner, 6-3, 6-0; Camila Alacron-Margaret Block def. Ali Yankal-Erin Ritta, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.
Singles-Colver def .Emily McElheney 6-1, 6-0; Akiyama def. Jill Warner, 6-1, 6-0.
Grinnell 5, Carroll 0
Doubles - Klumpner-Engh beat Hannah Poser-Emily Links, 6-2, 6-1; Maya Lipert-Katie Colver (G) def. Samantha Bachmann-Casey Anderson, 6-3, 6-1; Alarcon-Block def. Stacy Harban-Sarah Anthony, 6-2, 6-1.
Singles - Alarcon def. Harban, 6-4, 6-0; Klumpner def. Poser, 6-2, 6-2; Lipert led Bachmann, 6-4, 2-0.

The Grinnell College women's tennis team moved to 10-2 on the season Sunday with an 8-1 victory over St. Norbert College and 6-3 decision over Beloit College.

The Pioneers swept singles play against St. Norbert wins from Camila Alarcon '08, Susan Klumpner '08, Maya Lipert '09, Katie Colver '09, Margaret Block '08 and Jill Akiyama '10. No player gave up more than three games, and Lipert and Block each had shutouts in one of their sets. Grinnell got doubles victories from the teams of Lipert-Colver and Alarcon-Block. The latter duo won by an 8-1 score.

Singles winners for Grinnell against Beloit were Rachel Engh '08 - who won by consecutive 6-0 scores - Lipert, Colver and Block. Colver blanked her foe in one of the two sets. Also winning were the doubles teams of Lipert-Colver, who posted a shutout, and Alarcon and Block.

The Pioneers and the other league teams will compete in the MWC Women's Tennis Championship Oct. 12-14 at Rockford, Ill., and Madison, Wis.

Grinnell College's Camila Alarcon '08 has been named the Midwest Conference Women's Tennis Performer of the Week.

Alarcon, of Guatamala City, Guatamala, helped lead the Pioneers to a 9-0 victory over Lake Forest College Saturday that clinched the MWC South Division title. She picked up a 6-0, 7-5 victory at No. 1 singles and added an 8-2 victory with Margaret Block at No. 3 doubles.

A two-time MWC singles champion, Alarcon is 3-0 in singles play during 2007 conference matches and is currently 6-3 overall on the season.

The Grinnell College women's tennis team claimed the Midwest Conference South Division title Saturday by blanking Lake Forest College 9-0.

Posting singles wins for the Pioneers, who are 3-0 in divisional play and are 8-2 overall, were Camila Alarcon '08, Susan Klumpner '08, Maya Lipert '09, Katie Colver '09, Margaret Block '08 and Jill Akiyama '10. Both Alarcon and Colver won one of their sets by shutout. Colver is now 8-1 on the season, Block improved to 11-2, Klumpner and Akiyama are both 9-2, Lipert moved to 7-3 and Alarcon moved to 7-4.

In doubles play, Grinnell's winners were the teams of Klumpner-Rachel Engh '08, Lipert-Colver and Alarcon-Block. By winning the South, Grinnell will be the top seed from the division in the Midwest Conference Championship Tournament. Lake Forest will be the second seed.

"In our match with Lake Forest, our women played collectively the best they've played all year," said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. "I was especially pleased with our No. 1 doubles team of Susan Klumpner and Rachel Engh. Their come-from-behind victory showed great improvement in our play. Camila Alarcon's victory came against one of the better opponents she'll see all year and one of the classiest players in the Midwest Conference."

The Pioneers have more than a week off before playing two matches next Sunday at Beloit. On that day, Grinnell meets St. Norbert College at noon and Beloit College at 3 p.m.

Margaret Block '08 of Grinnell College reached the singles division quarterfinals of the Fall Invite tennis tournament hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College before being eliminated.

Block posted three consecutive victories in the event, which is held in conjunction with the ITA Midwest Regional. She opened the tourney with a 7-3, 7-6 (7-5) win over Justine Allen of Luther College and followed that up with wins over Emily Heying of Wartburg College (6-3, 6-0) and Stephanie Feld of Wisconsin-Whitewater (6-3, 6-0). Block then lost 6-3, 6-0 to eventual champ Amy Seimon of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Grinnell, 7-1 overall this season as a team and 2-0 in the Midwest Conference, jumps back into league play next Saturday against Illinois College and Lake Forest College. Both matches will be at Jacksonville, home of Illinois College. The Pioneers battle the hosts at 9 a.m. and Lake Forest at noon.

After winning first-round matches Friday, a pair of Grinnell College tennis players were beaten in the second round of singles play at the ITA Midwest Regional hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College.

Laura Arnebeck of Gustavus Adolphus beat Camila Alarcon '08 by a 6-0, 6-0 score, while second-seeded Molly Fiala of Coe beat Susan Klumpner '08 6-1, 6-2.

In doubles consolation action, Amanda Wenzel and Becky Nieber of Macalester beat Maya Lipert '09 and Katie Colver '09 (no score reported), Alarcon and Margaret Block '08 lost 9-8 (3) to Molly Beyer and Brynne Zinnecker of Luther and Klumpner and Rachel Engh '08 lost 8-4 to Alana Humpal and Katie Nichols of Luther.

The Fall Invite is held in conjunction with the ITA. Block won a first-round match Friday and advanced to the second round, but the result of that match is not yet available. Lindsay Smith '09 and Jill Akiyama '10 played in the Fall Invite doubles competion. Competing in consolation play, they lost 8-5 to Stephanie Field of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Kristina Kelly of Gustavus Adolphus.

The ITA event continues through Sunday.

A pair of Grinnell College women's tennis players advanced to the second round of the 2007 ITA Midwest Regional Tournament Friday.

Camila Alarcon '08, the No. 9 singles seed, beat Brooke Parish of Wheaton College 7-6, 4-6, 6-1. Also winning for Grinnell was Susan Klumpner '08, a 6-3, 6-3 victor over Amanda Wenzel of Macalester.

Three other Grinnell players lost to seeded women. Rachel Engh '08 lost 6-0, 6-1 to No. 4 seed Sierra Krebsbach of Gustavus Adolphus, Maya Lipert '09 lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to fifth-seeded Ingrid Stensvaag of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Katie Colver '09 lost 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 to No. 6 seed Angie Horner of Macalester.

All three Grinnell doubles entries lost in the first round. Kayla Lenz and Aubrey Hirsch of St. Mary's beat Lipert and Colver (the score was not reported), Jessie Farrar and Lauren Fahl of Wisconsin-Whitewater beat Alarcon and Margaret Block '08 8-3 and fifth-seeded Stensvaag-Tiffany Dawson of Wisconsin-Whitewater beat Klumpner and Engh 8-2.

The Fall Invite competition is held in conjunction with the ITA. Block won a first-round singles match in the Fall Invite, topping Justine Allen of Luther 6-3, 7-6 (5). Lindsay Smith '09 of Grinnell lost a 6-2, 6-1 decision to Jenna Harris of Macalester and Jill Akiyama '10 fell 7-5, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6) top Michelle Daciolas of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

In Fall Invite doubles play, Allen and Fran Fairfield of Luther defeated Smith and Akiyama by an 8-0 score.

The ITA event continues Saturday and Sunday.

Central College clipped the Grinnell College women's tennis team by a 5-4 score Wednesday.

All of the Pioneers' wins came in singles play. Those victories were by Maya Lipert '09, Katie Colver '09, Margaret Block '08 and Jill Akiyama '10. Colver is now a perfect 7-0 on the season, Akiyama moved to 8-1, Block is 7-1 and Lipert improved to 6-2.

"I knew going into this match it would be a tough one based on comparative scores," said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. "I give a lot of credit to Central's kids for their steadiness today. Getting down 0-3 in doubles, we had our backs against the wall. Some of our six singles players really fought hard to get a win.

Central improved to 6-3, while Grinnell dipped to 7-2. The Pioneers travel to St. Peter, Minn., this weekend to compete in the ITA Regionals. Action will be contested Friday through Sunday.

"Playing at the ITA gives us a chance to get a lot of match play against stiff competition," said Hamilton. "We're looking forward to performing more consistently against that caliber of opponent."

The home court was again friendly to the Grinnell College women's tennis team Sunday.

The Pioneers won their third home match in just two days, topping Midwest Conference foe Lawrence University by an 8-1 edge. The Pioneers, who are 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the league, swept singles play with wins coming from Camila Alarcon '08, Susan Klumpner '08, Maya Lipert '09, Katie Colver '09, Margaret Block '08 and Jill Akiyama '10. Lipert posted consecutive set wins of 6-0, while Akiyama won by a 6-1, 6-0 edge. Alarcon and Colver also won one of their sets by a 6-0 margin. Doubles winners for the Pioneers were the teams of Lipert-Colver and Alarcon-Block.

"It was a nice overall weekend of play for our team," said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. "Playing back-to-back days should serve us well in our conditioning as we move forward toward the Midwest Conference Tournament. Co-captains Katie Colver and Maya Lipert were especially strong in doubles this weekend. While it is hard not to highlight every one of our singles players because we didn't drop a set this weekend, I thought Maya and Jill Akiyama were especially potent in singles."

Grinnell wraps up the home portion of its 2007 schedule when Central College travels here Wednesday. That contest is at 4:30 p.m. After that, the Pioneers go to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., for the ITA Regionals next Friday through Sunday.

The Grinnell College women's tennis team opened the home portion of its 2007 schedule in stellar fashion Saturday with a pair of wins. The Pioneers blanked Knox College 9-0 and then topped Monmouth College 8-1.

The Pioneers didn't drop a set against Knox en route to the easy win. Singles winners for the hosts were Camila Alarcon '08, Susan Klumpner '08, Rachel Engh '08, Margaret Block '08, Jill Akiyama '10 and Curran Johnson '09. Akiyama didn't drop a single game while beating her foe 6-0, 6-0, while Alarcon, Engh and Block each won one of their sets by a 6-0 margin.

Winning doubles matches were the teams of Klumpner-Engh, Maya Lipert '09-Katie Colver '09 and Lindsay Smith '09-Kelsey Picken '10. Lipert-Colver shut out their opponents, while the other two teams posted 8-2 victories.

"We were able to expand our lineup against Knox and I am real pleased with the way all our players competed with urgency," said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton.

The Pioneers swept singles play against Monmouth with victories by Alarcon, Klumpner, Engh, Lipert, Colver and Akiyama. Both Engh and Akiyama disposed of their foes by 6-0, 6-0 scores, while Lipert won 6-1, 6-1. In doubles play, Grinnell got wins from the teams of Lipert-Colver and Alarcon-Block. Alarcon-Block won 8-1 and Lipert-Colver 8-2.

With the wins, Grinnell improved to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the Midwest Conference.

"It was great to have Rachel Engh get on top of her singles game against Monmouth," said Hamilton. "Jill Akiyama continues to play focused tennis, making the bottom of our lineup very tough. I was pleased with our overall conditioning today in our two victories over Knox and Monmouth. It's clear we're getting our legs under us as we get deeper into the season."

Grinnell is slated to host Monmouth College at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The Pioneers remain home Sunday when they entertain Lawrence University in an early 9 a.m. affair. After that, Grinnell wraps up the home portion of its 2007 schedule when Central College travels here Wednesday. That contest is at 4:30 p.m.

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Grinnell College women's tennis team didn't drop a single set on its way to a 9-0 blanking of Simpson College Wednesday.

Singles winners for the Pioneers, from No. 1 to 6, were Susan Klumpner '08, Rachel Engh '08, Maya Lipert '09, Katie Colver '09, Margaret Block '08 and Jill Akiyama '10. Engh was last year's Midwest Conference champ at No. 2 singles. Also winning league singles titles a year ago were Colver (No. 4), Block (No. 5) and Akiyama (No. 6). Klumpner and Engh teamed up to win their No. 1 doubles match against Simpson. Lipert and Colver, defending MWC champs at No. 2 doubles, beat their Simpson foes at No. 2 doubles while Block and Camila Alarcon '08 won at No. 3 doubles.

Grinnell's first home action comes this weekend with three MWC duals in two days. The 4-1 Pioneers host Knox College at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Monmouth College at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Pioneers entertain Lawrence University at 9 a.m. Grinnell's final home match will be next Wednesday when Central College comes calling. Match time is 4:30 p.m.

Decorah, Iowa - The Grinnell College women's tennis team split matches Saturday, beating Cornell College 7-2 and falling by an 8-1 score to Luther College.

The doubles team of Camila Alarcon '08 and Margaret Block '08 were two-time winners on the day, posting an 8-1 win over their Cornell foes and 8-5 decision over their Luther opponents.

Also winning doubles matches against Cornell was the team of Maya Lipert '09 and Katie Colver '09 by an 8-2 score.

Singles winners against Cornell were Susan Klumpner '08 by a 7-6, 2-6, 10-8 score, Lipert by a 6-3, 6-1 decision, Colver by a 4-6, 7-5, 13-1 score, Block by a 6-2, 6-3 edge and Jill Akiyama '10 by a 6-0, 6-1 decision.

The 3-1 Pioneers travel to Indianola on Wednesday to face Simpson College.

Grinnell's first home matches are Sept. 15 when Knox College and Monmouth College visit.

The Grinnell College women's tennis team moved to 2-0 on the season with an 8-1 win over St. Ambrose Tuesday.

Winning singles matches for the Pioneers were Camila Alarcon, Susan Klumpner, Katie Colver, Margaret Block and Jill Akiyama.

Doubles winners were the teams of Alarcon-Klumpner, Maya Lipert-Colver and Block-Akiyama.

The Pioneers travel to Decorah Saturday to play Luther College in a 4 p.m. match.

A sweep in singles play lifted the Grinnell College women's tennis team to a 6-3 win over Wartburg Saturday. .

Singles winners for the Pioneers were Camila Alarcon, Susan Klumpner, Maya Lipert, Katie Colver, Margaret Block and Jill Akiyama. .

It was the Pioneers' first official action of the season. .

Grinnell 6, Wartburg 3
Singles: Camila Alarcon (G def. Molly Eslick, 6-4, 6-3; Susan Klumpner (G) def. Emily Heying, 6-3, 6-4; Maya Lipert (G) def. Mirola Bacovac, 6-4, 7-6 (5); Katie Colver (G) def. Amanda Barkema, 7-6 (5), 0-6, 6-4; Margaret Block (G) def. Sara Bickford, 6-2, 6-2; Jill Akiyama (G) def. Susie McArdle, 7-6 (6), 6-2.

Doubles: Eslick-Heying (W) def. Alarcon-Klumpner, 8-3; Bacovac-Barkema (W) def. Lipert-Colver, 8-2; Bickford-McArdle (W) def. Block-Akiyama, 8-1.