NAPERVILLE — The last two weeks of competition featured extensive spring break travel for several College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s tennis programs, with member institutions competing in Florida and South Carolina.
 
Cardinals Flight: North Central Navigates the Florida Circuit
North Central completed a four-day trip in Orlando from March 6-9 and closed the stretch with a 12-2 overall dual record. The Cardinals opened the trip with a 7-0 loss to nationally-ranked Carnegie Mellon on March 6 before rebounding with a 5-2 win over Dickinson on March 8. North Central concluded the trip with a 6-1 setback against Ohio Northern on March 9, finishing one win shy of matching the program’s 13-1 start from a season ago.
 
Several individual efforts stood out during the trip. Abigail Penados picked up North Central’s lone point against Ohio Northern with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles, improving her season record to 13-1. Liveta Ezerskis continued to provide consistency in the middle of the lineup and now owns 10 dual-match wins at No. 3 singles. Kate Herlihy also moved to 12-1 on the season after rallying for a three-set victory against Dickinson, recovering from a first-set loss to win 1-6, 6-4, 10-4.
 
Thunder in the Tropics: Wheaton’s Quest for Perfection
Wheaton competed in three matches during its Florida trip, which began March 11 and concluded last Friday. The Thunder opened with a 7-0 sweep of Minnesota Morris, dropped a narrow 4-3 decision to Saint Mary’s (Ind.) on March 12 and closed the trip with another 7-0 sweep, this time over St. Norbert in Altamonte Springs.
 
Freshman Mia Luo remained unbeaten in singles play and improved to 13-0 on the year. On March 12, Luo was tested in a three-set match for the first time this season and secured a 7-5, 6-7 (4), 1-0 (11-9) victory. She followed with a 6-0, 6-0 result at No. 6 singles in Wheaton’s win over St. Norbert. Sophie Dew added singles victories against both Saint Mary’s and St. Norbert, including a 6-3, 6-4 decision in the final match of the trip.
 
In doubles play, Madeline Gentry and CCIW Student-Athlete of the Week Tatum Thurstone continued to provide stability at the top of the lineup. The pair earned a 6-0 win against Minnesota Morris, a 6-1 victory over Saint Mary’s and another 6-0 result against St. Norbert at No. 1 doubles.
 
Titan Turnaround: Illinois Wesleyan Ends the Fifteen-Year Wait
Illinois Wesleyan reached a notable milestone during its spring break trip to Florida. After opening with a 6-1 loss to Coe last Sunday, the Titans responded with back-to-back wins, defeating Edgewood 6-1 last Monday before posting a 7-0 sweep of Shippensburg last Tuesday.
 
Those results secured Illinois Wesleyan’s first winning season since 2010-11. Under head coach Jason Van Heuklon, the Titans improved to 10-6 and guaranteed a record above .500 for the first time in 15 years. Elana Religioso continued to be a key part of that success, moving to 15-1 in singles play after a 6-2, 6-2 victory last Tuesday.
 
IWU also received contributions throughout the lineup. Gabi Lipske earned singles wins in both victories, including a 6-0, 6-3 result against Shippensburg. Katie Van Heuklon added points at No. 3 singles in both matches, while Amber Ehrlich posted a 6-0, 6-3 win at the top spot in the lineup to help complete the sweep over Shippensburg.
 
Pioneer Points and Firebird Flights: Carroll and Carthage in Orlando
Carroll competed in three matches during its spring break trip and used the stretch to continue developing rhythm heading into the conference tournament. The Pioneers opened with a 4-1 loss to LeTourneau on March 8 and a 7-0 setback against Hardin-Simmons on March 9 before closing with a 6-1 win over Catholic on March 11.
 
Katherine Trifilio turned in one of the top individual performances for Carroll during the trip. She earned a three-set win on March 8, rallying for a 0-6, 6-1, 10-6 victory, and later clinched the deciding team point in the win over Catholic with another three-set decision at No. 2 singles.
 
Carthage also faced a busy Florida schedule, opening with a 6-1 loss to Cornell on March 9. The Firebirds split a doubleheader on March 11, falling 4-3 to St. Catherine before defeating St. Scholastica 6-1. Carthage closed the trip with a 6-1 loss to Calvin last Friday.
 
Niki Manojlovic recorded singles wins against Cornell and in the first match of the March 11 doubleheader, while Valentina Huesca added two wins at No. 6 singles during the doubleheader.
 
Vikings Vying for Momentum: North Park and Augustana Status
North Park returned to action on Wednesday and dropped a 7-0 decision to Saint Mary’s (Ind.). Despite the final score, Alexandra Pugachova and Thea Gifvars pushed the top doubles match and fell by a 6-3 score. 
 
Augustana has not competed since its March 1 match at Cornell. The Vikings remain in a preparation period as they look ahead to upcoming competition later this month.
 
Upcoming Conference Calendar
Conference teams are scheduled to resume action with several upcoming regional and travel matches. On Friday, North Park will face Wisconsin Lutheran at 1:30 p.m., while Carthage will host Concordia Wisconsin at 6:45 p.m. 
 
Augustana returns to competition next Tuesday against DePauw in Hilton Head Island, S.C. at 10 a.m., then faces Oberlin on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. in Hilton Head. North Park is also scheduled to host Illinois Tech next Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
 
Wheaton is set to return to action on March 27 with a home match against Illinois Tech.