Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2023) - The Buena Vista women's tennis team began its season at the Cornell College Invite this past Saturday and would drop matches against both the host Rams (9-0) and Milwaukee School of Engineering (7-2).

In the opener against Cornell, Macy Weller made her collegiate debut and teamed up with sophomore Hailey Meseck at No. 1 doubles, but the pair would drop their match, 8-1. Nancy Flores was also making her collegiate debut at No. 2 doubles alongside senior Jenny Almanza, but the duo would also fall, 8-1. Graduate student Lily and junior Abby King played the No. 3 doubles and would come up short 8-2.

In singles play, Flores nearly forced a decisive third set at No.3 singles, but fell in the second set, 6-4. The Beavers were swept in straight sets in all six matches.

"Cornell is, in my opinion, fielding its strongest team in quite some time," said BVU head coach Dan Taylor. "They brought in several strong first-year players and their level of play is high. We had some close sets at No. 3 and No. 4 singles with Nancy and Lily, but even in the matches where we weren't as close in the scoreline, I thought we were hitting the ball well, we were just overpowered a bit."

BVU, despite playing back-to-back matches and playing through the heat, fought to the end against MSOE and pulled out a couple wins. Weller notched her first career victory by winning the No. 1 singles match in a thrilling third-set tiebreaker. She came out and picked up a strong 6-1 win in the opening set before dropping the second, 6-3. She was able to bounce back and hold on for the 10-8 win.

Messeck followed suit at No. 2 singles, pulling out a straight-set victory, 6-4, 6-2.

"Macy at No. 1 did an amazing job of turning her match around, taking the second set and the match tiebreak in her first win at the college level," said Taylor. "Hailey did a great job managing the conditions and her body in between matches and was able to actually wear her opponent down physically, even though she played half as many matches."

"We had the disadvantage of having already played in the heat, while their players were fresh," added Taylor. "If the playing field were a little more even I think the score would have been closer. . I am extremely proud and satisfied with how everyone on our team battled hard in difficult conditions, and see a lot of positives we can take into the conference season which starts Saturday in Lincoln."

The Beavers will travel to Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday, Sept. 9, to play at Nebraska Wesleyan at 11 a.m.