The Augustana women's tennis team opened the 2009-10 season with five victories during the first round of the Pierre Invitational Friday in Pierre, S.D.
The tournament features players from Augustana, South Dakota State, North Dakota and the University of Sioux Falls.
Brittany Gaster led the Vikings with wins in both singles and doubles. In Flight 1 singles action, Gaster defeated Caitlin Brannen of South Dakota State 6-3, 6-2 to advance to Saturday's semifinals.
In Flight 1 doubles, Gaster partnered with
Adrienne Conley to edge Brannen and Megan McDougall 8-5. Augustana's other tandem at Flight 1 doubles was also victorious as
Michelle Wadas and
Hannah Gebauer defeated USF's team of Jenny Lewellen and Laura Osterloo 8-5.
Emily Johnson and
Amber Baustian claimed Augustana's other victories. Johnson routed Meghan Klein of USF 6-0, 6-1 in Flight 3 singles, while Baustian advanced in a walkover in Flight 4 singles.
The Vikings also had a couple of narrow defeats. In Flight 2 singles, Gebauer lost in 3 sets to McDougall. Set scores were 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Then in Flight 2 doubles, Johnson and
Danielle Gilbert fell 9-7 to SDSU's Katie Elifson and Molley Johnson.
The tournament continues Saturday at 8 a.m.
Augustana results
Flight 1 Singles
Brittany Gaster (Augie) def. Caitlin Brannen (SDSU) 6-3, 6-2
Jenny Lewellen (USF) def.
Michelle Wadas (Augie), 6-3, 6-2
Flight 2 Singles
Megan McDougall (SDSU) def.
Hannah Gebauer (Augie), 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
Brynne Wischer (UND) def.
Jill Hagestuen (Augie), 6-1, 6-1
Flight 3 Singles
Emily Johnson (Augie) def. Meghan Klein (USF), 6-0, 6-1
Chelsey Galipeau (UND) def.
Adrienne Conley (Augie), 6-1, 6-3
Flight 4 Singles
Bethany Goeden (SDSU) def.
Gabrielle Kachena (Augie), 6-2, 6-0
Amber Baustian (Augie) won by walkover
Flight 1 Doubles
Gaster/Conley (Augie) def. Brannen/McDougall (SDSU), 8-5
Wadas/Gebauer (Augie) def. Jenny Lewellen/Laura Osterloo (USF), 8-5
Flight 2 Doubles
Katie Elifson/Molley Johnson (SDSU) def. Johnson/
Danielle Gilbert (Augie), 9-7
Tiffany Reisenauer/Megan Sween (UND) def. Baustian/Hagestuen (Augie), 8-1
