Goshen, Ind. – The Maple Leaf women's tennis team opened their 2014 campaign in style by winning 8 of 9 matches and coasting to an 8-1 win over visiting Cornerstone University, before dropping a competitive Crossroads League match to the Bethel Pilots on the second of back to back contests.

Goshen got off to a sizzling start in their first match of the year by sweeping doubles play off of a competitive win (8-5) from Anika Baumgartner and Mimi Salvador at # 1  doubles to open the day. The victory was the first for Baumgartner and Salvador as a doubles team and set the stage for an easy victory at # 2 doubles (8-2) by Maria Thomas and Joelle Friesen, followed by a default win at # 3 doubles.

The Maple Leaf momentum spilled right over into singles play as Baumgartner (#1), Slavador (#2), and Friesen (#5) all won in straight sets, while Thomas (#4) won a hard fought 3 set battle which began by dropping a tough first set 4-6, dominating the second set 6-1, and outlasting her opponent 7-5 in a pressure-filled third set tie-break.

After opening the season with a strong victory, the women found themselves in a competitive Crossroads League competition with Bethel College on the second match in two days.

The combination of Baumgartner and Salvador, at # 1 doubles, set the pace once again, as they dug out a gutsy 8-5 win to grab their second doubles team victory in as many days. The Pilots fought back, however, grabbing wins with Taryn Johnson & Samantha Lukas (8-3) at # 2 doubles, along with Jana Yoder and Haley Foster (8-1) at # 3 doubles.

Goshen kept the match close during singles play with a dominating # 1 singles performance by Baumgartner 6-1, 6-1 in straight sets, while Salvador kept things rolling at # 2 singles with a tough match that saw her win 6-2 in the first set, but have to dig out a back and forth second set to earn the 6-4 win.

Head Coach Doug Gossman praised the team's effort in the match, and also noted the quality play of Jessica Klink in a tight singles match that she dropped 6-4, 7-5.

The two match split by the Maple Leafs brings them to a 1-1 overall record (0-1 Crossroads League) as they head into their third straight home match Saturday, Aug. 30^th at 11:00 am against Indiana Wesleyan.

Complete Results: Goshen 8, Cornerstone 1

Doubles

1. Baumgartner/Salvador (W) def Silvers/Rusticas 8-5
2. Thomas/Friesen (W) def Haizenga/Bajema 8-2
3. Epp/Klink (W) by default

Singles

1. Anika Baumgartner (W) def Jamie Silvers 6-3, 6-2
2. Mimi Salvador (W) def Allison Rusticas 6-2, 6-2
3. Ashley Greene (W) def Joanna Epp 6-2, 6-2
4. Maria Thomas (W) def Nicole Haizenga 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
5. Joelle Friesen (W) def Katie Bajema 6-3, 6-4
6. Jessica Klink (W) by default

Complete Results: Bethel 6, Goshen 3

Doubles

1. Baumgartner/Salvador (W) def Bladgett/Madewell 8-5
2. Johnson/Lukas (W) def Thomas/Friesen 8-3
3. Jana Yoder/Haley Foster (W) def Epp/Klink 8-1

Singles

1. Anika Baumgartner (W) def Bethany Bladgett 6-1, 6-1
2. Mimi Salvador (W) def Madison Madewell 6-2, 6-4
3. Taryn Johnson (W) def Joanna Epp 6-1, 6-0
4. Samantha Lukas (W) def Maria Thomas 6-2, 6-3
5. Alaina Donegan (W) def Joelle Friesen 7-5, 6-2
6. Megan Reed (W) def Jessica Klink 6-4, 7-5