By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac varsity tennis team had little trouble with Niles on Wednesday in a Big 16 Conference West Division match.
The Chieftains, who had tied with Niles the previous two seasons, defeated the Lady Vikings, 6-2.
The win improved Dowagiac's season record to 4-1 heading into Saturday's Brandywine Invitational.
Dowagiac swept the singles matches and then split in the doubles flights to earn the victory.
Lisa Rubino, Ann O'Keefe and Taylor Townsend all won in straight sets.
Amelia first was a three-set, come-from-behind, winner over Nicole Weber at No. 4 singles, 3-6, 6-4 and 6-2.
Dowagiac picked up victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, while Niles was victorious at No. 3 and No. 4 doubles.
Calie Daniels and Lindsay Tyler defeated Sam Beck and Danielle Lowery at No. 1 doubles (6-4, 6-1), while Ashley Smith and Kim Rutkowski defeated Heather Croteau and Patty Anton at No. 2 doubles (6-4, 6-3).
Niles' Meagan Horn and Hilary Landgraf defeated Tonya Scherer and Shelly Urbanski at No. 3 doubles (1-6, 6-3, 6-4), while Kyra Carpenter and Ashley Jenks defeated Kate Duszynski and Kayleigh Sundman at No. 4 doubles (6-1, 6-3).
The Chieftains will be back in action on Saturday at the Brandywine Invitational which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
The singles matches will be played at Plym Park in Niles, while the doubles matches will be played at Niles High School.
Participating along with the Lady Bobcats and Chieftains will be Lake Michigan Catholic and Bridgman.
JV tennis
Dowagiac was defeated by Niles on Tuesday, 6-2.
Winning matches for the Chieftains were Samantha Stone and Elizabeth Kolden at No. 1 doubles, and Amanda Cross and Brianne Emmons at No. 4 doubles.
Against Paw Paw, Stone was a winner in singles, while Jessica Hargett and Emmons were winners in doubles.
Against St. Joseph, Kolden was the lone winner as she competed in singles.