DAVENPORT, IOWA (Duhawks.com) – Coming off of a 9-0 loss to Coe College last Thursday, the women's tennis team looked to get back on track with two matches against Knox College and St. Ambrose University on Saturday in Davenport. The Duhawks came into this weekend riding a two-match losing streak, but were able to turn the tides by playing some very tough tennis and came out of the weekend with a split record in Davenport.

After getting swept in doubles, the Duhawks nearly knocked off St. Ambrose on Saturday morning. To earn the victory, Loras needed to win all but one singles match and fell just short as they lost two singles matches, which lead to the overall 5-4 loss. The final outcome however does not accurately depict just how thrilling these matches were, as the Duhawks won twice in three sets.

Senior Elizabeth Dickhut was back in action for the Duhawks after missing her last two contests and easily took the victory in the No. 1 singles slot winning 6-3, 6-2 over Griffin Rascae. Her sister, sophomore Jessica Dickhut also recorded a win at the No. 2 slot, 4-6, 6-0, 10-8 as she took Sam Rochkus to three sets.

At No. 3 singles, freshman Kylie DeWees was unable to keep the string of victories alive however as she lost to Allie Deroo in straight sets 1-6, 1-6.

This did not keep the winning ways of Loras down though, as they would then rattle off two straight wins behind senior Caroline Rainey and sophomore Carrie Crabill at No. 4 and 5 singles.

Rainey defeated her opponent Sarah Wurster in two sets 6-2, 6-2 while Crabill then mounted a huge comeback against Anne Bohnert after losing the first set 2-6. Crabill would go on to win her next two sets 6-4, and 10-7 to keep the Duhawks' hopes alive.

Heading into No. 6 singles, the sides were drawn even at four wins a piece, leaving it all up to the final match. After winning the first set 7-5, freshman Sam Pietrusynski went on to lose the next two, 2-6, and 4-10, giving St. Ambrose the 5-4 win.

A short memory helped Loras as they quickly turned around their second match of the day. The Prairie Fire of Knox College were the next to challenge the Duhawks in match play. From the  very beginning, Loras was in control, sweeping 9-0. Knox could only muster 5 game wins in singles against the Duhawks. Both Elizabeth and Jessica Dickhut won their matches 6-0, 6-0 followed by Crabill and Pietruszynski also sweeping their opponents by final scores of 6-0, 6-0.

Kylie DeWees got back into the win column as she defeated Celina Dietzal 6-3, 6-1 in No. 3 singles. Lastly in singles, Caroline Rainey picked up her second win of the day defeating Maggie St. Clair 6-1, 6-0. This was the first time the Duhawks have swept their competition this season.

In doubles, the Dickhut's made easy work of their match against Taytem Chapman and Miranda Corbette winning 8-3.

At the No. 2 doubles slot, the freshman duo of Pietrusynzki and DeWees also notched a victory, defeating Maggie St. Clair and Celina Dietzal by a final of 8-1.

In the final match of the day, Caroline Rainey and sophomore Maggie Clements picked up a much needed win over Lauren Sparks and Kelly Davidson by a final score of 8-1 to seal the sweep.

The women's tennis team will be back in action on Tuesday, September 30, as they look to gain more momentum heading into the conference tournament with a 4:15 p.m. conference match at home against Central College.