For the second time this season, the Grand Valley State University women’s tennis team dropped a 5-4 decision to a GLIAC opponent.

On Tuesday, Northwood University came prepared to battle with the Lakers, as the visiting Timberwolves came out victorious in all three doubles matches. With the loss, GVSU is now 7-2 overall and 6-2 in GLIAC play.

“It as a disappointing loss [because] we just didn’t get the job done in doubles,” said GVSU head coach John Black. “The big story of our season this year is getting our doubles working. If we can get [doubles] going we can beat any team we play. If we’re in 3-0 hole we’re not going to win many matches.”

GVSU countered Northwood’s attack by compiling a four wins in the singles matches but couldn’t quite recover from the early deficit.

The Lakers were led by senior Tara Hayes and freshman Leah Dancz, who defeated their singles competition 7-5, 6-3 and 6-4, 6-3 respectively.

“I knew I had to go out there giving 100 percent,” said Hayes. “I played the best tennis I’ve played in probably four years. We lost all three doubles, [so] going into my singles match I gave it all I had. It was definitely worth it.”

Traditionally, Northwood is a strong team and a conference contender said Black. Still, GVSU outplayed the Timberwolves in the later part of Tuesday’s match, and hopes to get another shot at their GLIAC foe during the conference tournament.

Hayes said coming into the match GVSU wasn’t feeling a lot of pressure knowing that Northwood was a strong conference opponent. However, once the score was tied 4-4, the match got heated.

Dancz, who only competed in singles, said she felt the intensity of the match when she stepped out on the court.

“It was a lot of pressure after the doubles had lost to come back and win all the singles, but [the team] didn’t give up,” Dancz said. “We kept fighting and almost pulled it off so that was exciting.”

Aside from Hayes and Dancz, sophomores Lexi Rice and Anne Marie Morin also picked up wins for Lakers at No. 4 and No. 6 singles, respectively, while senior Alyssa Lucas had her seven-match win streak snapped.

As conference play continues, the team knows they have to improve both the execution and concentration during doubles play.

Hayes and Dancz said if the Lakers can find a way start doubles competition with the same aggressiveness as they do with singles, GVSU will be unbeatable.

“We’ve had a lot of matches in the past few days,” Black said. “We played four this [past] weekend and one [Tuesday], so tomorrow we’re going to rest. Then we’re going to continue to work on doubles in practice. Hopefully, the things we’re doing in practice will pay off down the road.”

The Lakers will be back in action on Friday, squaring off against GLIAC rival Ferris State University. The match will take place in Big Rapids at 3 p.m.

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