Washington University’s 24th-ranked women’s tennis team (13-3) picked up two quality wins this weekend, defeating both Coe College and Rhodes College 6-3 Saturday.

“We played two tough matches and improved on doubles,” sophomore Allison Dender said. “It was a great effort, and we have gotten stronger over the course of the year.”

“Everyone is doing their job, and no one is letting their guard down,” junior Erin Swaller said.

The team began the dreary day by moving indoors for their 6-3 victory over Coe (19-30), currently ranked 29th in the country.

The Bears won two out of three doubles matches, with Dender and freshman Kristin Fleming picking up an 8-4 win at second doubles, while freshmen Karina Kocemba and Jaclyn Bild won 8-2 at third doubles. Freshman Kalee Cassady and Swaller fell 8-3 at first doubles.

The Bears also picked up four singles wins. Swaller picked up an exciting 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win at first singles while Bild, Cassady and freshman Elise Sambol picked up straight set wins. Bild won 6-0, 6-2 at third singles while Cassady won 6-0, 6-0 at fifth singles and Sambol 6-3, 6-1 at sixth. Kocemba lost a 1-6, 6-2, 10-5 heartbreaker at second singles, and Dender fell 6-2, 6-1 at fourth.

The Bears were back in action Saturday afternoon against Rhodes (5-4), picking up another 6-3 victory. This time, the Red and Green swept doubles play. The same teams picked up 8-3, 8-3 and 8-2 wins, giving them a 3-0 edge heading into singles play.

Wash. U. went on to win three singles matches to clinch the match. Bild picked up a 6-4, 6-2 win at third singles for her fourth win of the weekend. Sambol also won 6-2, 6-1 at fifth singles, and Fleming won 6-1, 6-1 at sixth. Swaller and Kocemba suffered tough matches at the top two spots, with Swaller falling 6-7, 6-4, 10-6 at the top spot and Kocemba falling 7-5, 6-7, 10-8. Dender also lost 6-0, 6-0 at the number four spot.

Overall, the team was very happy with its performance.

“We played wonderfully,” Swaller said. “The team is jelling, and we will only get better. We played two strong teams and beat them convincingly.”

The Bears have two local matches this week against Principia College on Monday and St. Louis University on Tuesday before playing in the UAA championships this weekend. Play begins on Friday.

“The team’s ready,” Dender said. “We are prepared to do a great job and show everyone what we are capable of.”

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