HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. - The Lake Superior State women's tennis program (1-5) fell to the Chowan Hawks (1-6) by a final score of 5-2 on Monday in their opening contest of the 2023 PTR Spring Tennis Fest.

The Hawks were able to get off to a hot start in doubles play, claiming the first and third doubles spots by equal scores of 6-3. Tayla Brasier (Bathurst, Australia) and Julia Fraile Raton (Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain) were able to provide a valiant effort in the No. 2 doubles match, but it would ultimately remain unfinished with the duo leading 5-4 at the time. 

True freshman Marilou Cote (Levis, Quebec) would continue her strong individual start to the season with a victory at the top singles position by a final score of 7-5, 6-1. The Hawks retook the lead by taking the No. 4 singles match despite a strong effort in the second set by Fraile who was able to win the set 6-1 before eventually falling in a super-tiebreaker that was played in lieu of a full third set, but the Lakers answered right back as Valentina Parodi (Albissola Marina, Italy) came away with a 7-6, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles to knot up the overall score once again. However, Chowan would once again take the lead with a victory at the No. 2 singles position despite an impressive effort in the opening set from Brasier, forcing a tiebreaker and coming within two points of taking the set herself. Martina Oviedo (Cordoba, Argentina) and Riley Gilman (Holt, Mich.) would keep fighting to give their team a chance, but it would not be enough as the Hawks were victorious in both remaining matches to claim the 5-2 victory. 

The Lakers return to action when they take on Augusta on Tuesday, March 7 with the first serve scheduled for 12 p.m.