MANDAN, N.D. – The University of Jamestown women's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision to Gustavus on Saturday at the Mandan Tennis Center. Despite strong performances at the top of the lineup from the van Zeijl sisters, Gustavus secured the victory by claiming the doubles point and winning four of the six singles matches.

The match opened with a competitive doubles session that saw Gustavus take two out of three courts. Jamestown picked up a win at No. 1 doubles, where Julie van Zeijl and Bodil van Zeijl defeated Ella De Young and Allison Szalay by a score of 6-3.

However, Gustavus responded to secure the team point. At No. 2 doubles, Pavla Yakimova and Jemima Vitou defeated Jamestown's Laia Vallespi and Sydney Friesen 6-2. The doubles competition was decided at the No. 3 spot, where Madison Packer and Ashley Stroebel held off Anna Sharandachenko and Mariia Sharandachenko 6-4.

In singles play, the Jimmies found success at the top two flights. Julie van Zeijl earned a victory at No. 1 singles, taking down De Young in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, Bodil van Zeijl also secured a win for UJ, defeating Szalay 6-3, 6-3.

Gustavus controlled the remainder of the singles lineup, winning flights 3 through 6 to clinch the dual. Two of those matches required a deciding third set. At No. 3 singles, Yakimova defeated Anna Sharandachenko 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. At No. 5 singles, Vitou rallied after dropping the first set to defeat Vallespi 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Gustavus also picked up straight-set wins at the No. 4 and No. 6 positions. Madison Packer defeated Mariia Sharandachenko 6-3, 6-4 at No. 4, while Ashley Stroebel defeated Sydney Friesen 6-1, 6-0 at No. 6.

The Jimmies travel to Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, February 13 to face Augustana University.

Match Results

• Final Score: Gustavus 5, Jamestown 2
• Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3); Singles (6, 1, 2, 4, 5, 3)