WINONA LAKE – Grace’s women’s tennis team started its season off with a 7-2 victory against IU Kokomo on Friday. 

The Lady Lancers (1-0) swept all three doubles’ matches to put themselves in position to coast to a win over the Cougars (0-1). Friday’s contest also marked IU Kokomo’s first tennis match in school history.

University of Toledo transfer Emily Mast paired with Carrie Copeland at No. 1 doubles. The pair had no trouble finding their chemistry as they cruised to an 8-1 win.

Juniors Jenna Jackson and Molly Fitzpatrick were not to be outdone by their teammates. They won their No. 2 doubles’ match 8-3. Shelby Bankson and Briana Diehl sealed Grace’s doubles’ sweep, winning their match 8-4. This was Diehl’s first collegiate appearance.

Mast shined in her Lancer singles’ debut. She set the tone for the rest of the singles’ lineup with a 6-0, 6-1 win. Copeland performed just as well in her match with a 6-0, 6-1 win of her own, sealing the win for Grace.

Jackson and Fitzpatrick continued the momentum from their doubles’ match. Jackson took care of business with a 6-1, 6-0 win. Her winning ways rubbed off on Fitzpatrick who won 6-2, 6-1.

IU Kokomo won its first two individual court matches in school history at the No. 5 and No. 6 courts.

Grace’s next appearance will be in a doubles’ tournament hosted by Marian. The competition gets started in Indianapolis at 10 a.m.