Lopes drop tough match to Drake

Sunday, March 11

Des Moines, Iowa

2:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

Drake

Photo by: Slaven Gujic

3/11/2018 11:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

By: Jerob Moon

DES MOINES, Iowa—The Grand Canyon women's tennis team (5-10) wrapped up a long string of non-conference matches with a 5-2 loss at Drake (10-5) on Sunday. The team will look forward to conference play beginning in two weeks.

"Drake definitely played solid on their home indoor courts," head coach Greg Prudhomme said. "We certainly wanted get the win, but it was a great experience for the girls. It will help them get ready for the two weekends of conference matches we have coming in the next month."

Drake started the match strong in doubles play winning all three matches. The Bulldogs won the doubles point quickly at No. 2 over Celina Buhr and Valentina Mokrova 6-0 and over Kylie Waschuk and Autum Prudhomme 6-1.

Heading into singles, the Lopes responded well in the first match. Waschuk won her third singles match in a row with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6 to get the Lopes back on track, tying the score at 1-1. After a loss at No. 1, Buhr responded with her third straight win, winning 6-3, 6-3 at No. 5.

"The girls really had to start the singles strong, which we did a good job of by getting the first set on three of the courts," coach Prudhomme added. "Celina kept her strong play going from Hawaii and got another couple of wins this weekend. She's looking really good and she's improved a lot over the season. And Kylie gave another strong performance at No. 6, so we definitely had some strong performances on the weekend."

With the score tied at two a piece, Drake took control of the match. The Bulldogs would go on and win the final three matches to put the lead out of reach and hand the Lopes their eighth loss in their last nine matches.

GCU will enjoy a week off before WAC conference play begins. The Lopes will travel to Edinburg, Texas to take on Chicago State, UTRGV, and New Mexico State on March 23, 24, and 25.