GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin University women's tennis team came back from an early deficit with a stellar performance in singles play to defeat Spring Arbor 5-4 on Wednesday at Huizenga Tennis and Track Center.
 
Spring Arbor (18-6) started strong, winning all three points in a hotly contested doubles competition.
 
The Cougars won both the numbers-one and three doubles matches 8-7 thanks to 7-3 tiebreakers, and also took the number-two doubles match 8-3 to secure all three points.
 
Calvin (10-1) took over once singles play started as the Knights won five of the six matches in straight sets to take home the overall win.
 
Tessa Holman (Washington, Mich./Romeo) got things started in number-one singles with a 6-2, 6-2 win. Catherine Grissom (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) won 6-3, 6-4 in three-singles, Maggie Shoemaker (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) won 6-1, 6-4 in four-singles.
 
Averi Lewis (Tualatin, Ore./Tulatin) won 6-3, 6-1 in five-singles to tie the match 4-4, and Delanie Minnema (East Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe) sealed the win with a 6-3, 6-2 win in the number-six match.
 
COACH'S COMMENT: "I am very proud of our non-conference performance this year," Calvin head tennis coach John Ross. "The doubles was really tight today and Spring Arbor deserves credit for pulling out tiebreakers at one and three-doubles. I was really happy with our singles play. Delanie (Minnema) hit a huge low backhand volley to seal the win, and Tessa (Holman) played the best she has played all year at one-singles to beat a Ferris State transfer."
 
NEXT UP: Calvin women's tennis returns to action on Wednesday, March 27, when it opens MIAA play at Adrian College at 4:00 PM.