Women's Tennis wraps up fall schedule as it competes at the ITA Regional Championships

By Caleb Scott

ADA — Sophomore Ashley Ochsenhirt (Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian) led the Ohio Northern women's tennis team as it wrapped up its fall schedule and competed at the ITA Regional Tennis Championships in Kalamazoo, Mich. this weekend.

Ochsenhirt entered the tournament as the No. 17 seed in a field of 128 singles players. 

In the round of 128, Ochsenhirt would defeat Calvin (Mich.) 6-1, 6-2 to move on to the round of 64 where she would defeat Illinois Wesleyan 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, (10-7).

The sophomore was knocked out of the singles tournament in the round of 32 as she fell 6-1, 5-7, (10-4) in a competitive match.

In doubles play, the team of Ochsenhirt and freshman Ola Latala (Grosse Ile, Mich./Grosse Ile) would defeat Olivet (Mich.) in the round of 64 and defeat Hope (Mich.) in the round of 32, before falling No. 1 seed and eventual doubles tournament champions, Washington (Mo.).

After falling in the first round of singles play, Latala would go on to win 3 rounds in the consolation draw before dropping a close 6-4, 6-2 decision to No. 3-seeded Kenyon.

Senior Brittany Toney (Greenwood, Ind./Greenwood Community) and freshman Mackenzie Wills (Ada/Ada) would also win in doubles action, as they defeated Allegheny (Pa.) 8-6 in the first round of consolation play.

The Polar Bears will open the spring portion of their schedule on Mar. 6th as they travel to Hilton Head Island, S.C. and compete at Sweet Briar (S.C.) in the annual spring break trip.