By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
For the second time this week, the Dowagiac varsity tennis team had to settle for a tie against a Wolverine Conference opponent.
On Monday, the Chieftains played to a 4-4 draw with Otsego. After defeating Comstock on Tuesday, 7-1, Dowagiac tied up host Paw Paw Wednesday afternoon.
The draw left the Chieftains with a 3-3-3 record in league competition. Dowagiac is 3-4-3 overall heading into Monday's regular season finale against visiting Brandywine.
Dowagiac won three out of the four singles flights and picked up a victory at No. 3 doubles.
"I guess a 3-3-3 record isn't bad for our first year in the league," Dowagiac coach Chuck Rubino said. "It reminds me of the two or three years ago with all those ties."
Dowagiac's wins at singles came from Taylor Townsend, Ashley Smith and Shelly Urbanski.
"Taylor continues to play outstanding tennis," Rubino said. "She beat another good No. 1 player today. Ashley and Shelly just continue to dominate their opponents."
Jessica Robinson and Kate Tyrakowski earned the Chieftains' lone victory in doubles play. Robinson and Tyrakowski defeated Catlyn Stroch and Andreia Kilburn, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
"One of our doubles teams always seems to step up," Rubino said. "Today it was Robinson and Tyrakowski. They really hung in there and were very competitive. We needed that match to salvage at least a tie and they got the job done."
Dowagiac…4
Paw Paw…4
Singles
1. Taylor Townsend (D) d. Kristy Stratton 6-3, 6-4; 2. Ashley Smith (D) d. Brenda Boyd 6-1, 6-3; 3. Kelly Mahalovich (PP) d. 7-6, 6-3; 4. Shelly Urbanski (D) d. Elise Crafts 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
1. Jamiee Norg/Michelle Zwalva (PP) d. Kate Duszynski/Kayleigh Sundman 6-1, 6-1; 2. Chelsea Davies/Beth Field (PP) d. Tonya Scherer/Elizabeth Kolden 6-3, 7-6; 3. Jessica Robinson/Kate Tyrakowski (D) d. Catlyn Stroch/Andreia Kilburn 6-3, 4-6, 6-1; 4. Anella Cooper/Stephanie King (PP) d. Ami Sarao/Kristan Stelmasiak 6-3, 6-2
Record
Dowagiac 3-4-3, 3-3-3 Wolverine