Box Score

JANESVILLE, Wis. – The number "3" was a popular one for the Grinnell College women's tennis team in the opening round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
 
The Pioneers won their third-ever NCAA Tourney match, beating Coe College for the third time this season with a 5-1 decision Friday. The win boosted Grinnell's record to 20-4, matching the school victory record established in 2007-08.
 
Grinnell, ranked 19th in the Central Region, jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles play, with victories by the Nos. 2 and 3 units of Ali Hickey '21-Anushka Joshi '18 (8-2) and Sydney Banach '18-Brenda Guan '20 (8-6).
 
Abby Nielsen '21 then won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, Banach posted a 6-0, 6-0 shutout at No. 6 and Joshi finished off the victory with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 4.
 
Joshi now ranks fourth in career singles wins at Grinnell with 65 and seventh in doubles victories with 60. Banach is 15th in doubles victories with 48. Additionally, Nielsen has the second-most singles wins in a season with 26 and Hickey the second-most doubles victories at 25. Joshi is 16th in singles wins for a season with 19.
 
The Pioneers take on nationally-ranked University of Chicago at 3 p.m. Saturday. Coe finishes its season with a 15-14 mark.