By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - 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 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 victory 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).
Dowagiac…6
Niles…2
Singles
1. Lisa Robino (D) d. Annalee Nelson 6-2, 6-1; 2. Ann O'Keefe (D) d. Nicole Negron 6-0, 6-0; 3. Taylor Townsend (D) d. Andrea Clabaugh 6-2, 6-2; 4. Amelia First (D) d. Nicole Weber 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Doubles
1. Lindsay Tyler-Calie Daniels (D) d. Sam Beck-Danielle Lowery 6-4, 6-1; 2. Ashley Smith-Kim Rutkowski (D) d. Heather Croteau-Patty Anton 6-4, 6-3; 3. Megan Horn-Hilary Landgraf (N) d. Tonya Scherer-Shelly Urbanski 1-6, 6-3, 6-4; 4. Kyra Carpenter-Ashley Jenks (N) d. Kate Duszynski-Kayleigh Sudman 6-1, 6-3
Niles……5
South Haven…..3
On Sept. 8, Niles' varsity tennis team took a 5-3 win over South Haven, while the Vikings JV team tied with the Rams, 4-4.
Singles
1. Alishia Raak (SH) d. Annalee Nelson 6-4, 6-2; 2. Celeste Gruber (SH) d. Nicole Negron 6-0, 6-2; 3. Tiffany Wagner (SH) d. Andrea Clabaugh 6-3, 4-6, 7-6; 4. Nicole Weber (N) d. Amanda McGee 6-2, 7-5.
Doubles
1. Sam Beck/Danielle Lowery (N) d. Alyssa DeGrandchamp/Katy DeGrandchamp 6-4, 6-3; 2. Heather Croteau/Patty Anton (N) d. Veniace Cunningham/Stephanie Shrader 6-4, 7-5; 3. Hillary Landgraf/Meagan Horn (N) d. Lauren Bennett/Emily Gruber 6-3, 7-5; 4. Kyra Carpenter/Sarah Rouse (N) d. Michelle Maxwell/Lessle Sonnenburg 6-1, 7-5.