KOHLER – Looking to make a statement at the outset, the Lakeland College women's tennis team came out strong in its 2013 season opener, sweeping Dominican (Ill.) University 9-0 at Sports Core.

The Muskies also won their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener and avenged a loss to the Stars last season. Dominican defeated Lakeland 6-3 last season and finished 7-4 in the NACC, three matches ahead of the Muskies in the standings.

Victoria Powelson (So.-Ishpeming, Mich.) debuted at No. 1 singles and won by forfeit, and also teamed with Lynn Pipke (So.-Greenfield, Wis.) at No. 1 doubles for an 8-2 win over Dominican's Jill Metcalf and Marbeya Berner. Pipke also was a winner at No. 2 doubles, defeating Berner in three sets, 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 10-5.

Erica Hoffmann (Sr.-Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) rolled past Megan Hickey at No. 3 doubles in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. Maggie Liston (Fr.-Lemont, Ill.) also was a winner at No. 4 singles with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Natalie Bestler, and the duo of Hoffmann and Liston defeated Hickey and Bestler 8-5 at No. 2 doubles.

Brittany Jurek (Sr.-Gladstone, Mich.) also got her season off to a good start with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Kelly Pompea at No. 5 singles, while Jenna Oberthaler (Sr.-Iron Mountain, Mich.) dominated at No. 6 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Stephanie Castaneda. Jurek and Oberthaler also rolled past Pompea and Castaneda at No. 3 doubles for an 8-2 win.

The Muskies were originally scheduled to open against Concordia University Chicago on Saturday, but that match was postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Lakeland is on the road for its next match, when it faces Marian University at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Fond du Lac in another NACC dual.