Matches from the Tribe Invitational in Williamsburg, Virginia, this past weekend offered glimpses of some new talent on the Iowa women’s tennis team.
Three Hawkeyes experienced their first college wins this past weekend.
Iowa’s Yufei Long, Danielle Bauers, and Danielle Burich each had some form of success in their opening tournament.
Long and her quick adaption to college competition proved to be the biggest story line from the weekend. Sept. 15 featured her first win as a Hawkeye; she defeated Charlotte Madson of William and Mary in straight sets (6-1, 6-1). Long, a native of Shenzhen, China, lost her doubles match that day alongside freshman teammate Burich (7-5).
On Sept. 16, Long bounced back, winning in both singles and doubles. She topped Old Dominion’s Victoria Olivarez in straight sets (6-3, 6-4), and she and teammate Zoe Douglas defeated Holly Hutchinson and Yulia Starodubsteva (6-3).
On Sept. 17, Long had more success. Although she lost to Julia Schroeder of Dartmouth in a close match, she, again with Douglas, won their doubles match (6-1).
“Yufei has been doing well,” head coach Sasha Schmid said in a release. “She’s been competing hard, and as a result she earned wins in both singles and doubles.”
Long’s freshman counterparts, Bauers and Burich, each experienced her first college win this weekend.
Bauers, a native of Alpharetta, Georgia, notched her first doubles win against the team of Natalia Perry and Madson of William and Mary. Bauer, alongside Anastasia Reimchen, won the match (7-6). Burich’s first college win came on Sept. 17, when she bested Allison McCann of Dartmouth (6-4, 6-3).
Douglas, who was ranked No. 92 in Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s preseason poll, fell to unranked Clara Tanielian at the No. 1 spot, (6-4, 6-4). On Sept. 16, Douglas lost to No. 58 Hutchinson.
Douglas lost again on Sept. 17 against unranked Kristina Mathis. Douglas did, however, go 2-1 in doubles this weekend. Both wins came alongside Long.
Douglas’ consistent doubles partner, sophomore Elise van Heuvelen, did not travel this weekend because of a sprained calf. As a duo, Douglas and van Heuvelen are ranked No. 42 in the preseason rankings. The pair will be seen in action for the first time this season at the All-American Tournament in Los Angeles starting on Oct. 3.
Reimchen and junior Adorabol Huckleby also had success; the doubles pair posted a 2-0 record this past weekend.
“Overall, we played a great level of tennis this weekend,” Schmid said in a release. “It is really helpful as a coach to see the team compete this early against high-level opponents. We will build upon the tennis from this tournament.”