RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Sisters Sadie Conway (Sr.-Monroe, Wis.) and Sydnee Conway (Fr.-Monroe, Wis.) combined for three victories and the Lakeland University women's tennis team claimed a hard-fought dual victory over Concordia University Chicago by a 6-3 score Tuesday afternoon.

With the victory the Muskies clinched a spot in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament in the spring. Lakeland will advance to the conference tournament for the second straight year after qualifying just twice in the first 11 years of the NACC tourney.

Sadie and Sydnee Conway paired up for a solid win at Number 3 doubles, defeating Concordia's Jessica Parker and Mackenzie Straulin 8-2, and Sydnee Conway also easily handled Straulin 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6 singles. Sadie Conway picked up one of the hardest-earned wins for Lakeland in the dual, coming back after losing the second set to edge Parker 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 at No. 5 singles.

"I'm very proud of Sadie for how she fought and executed strategy today," said Muskies head coach Pete Barth. "She was a bit frustrated after the second set, but gathered herself and played the best tennis I've seen her play in the third."

Baylee Babcock (Sr.-Mauston, Wis.) also was a double-winner on the day, including teaming with Mary Blossom (So.-Farmington Hills, Mich.) for a close 8-6 win over Amelia Engelman and Kamila Giza at No. 2 doubles. Babcock also defeated Giza 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4 singles, improving to 6-3 in singles matches this season.

Olivia Heling (So.-West Bend, Wis.) also continued to play well at No. 1 singles, improving to 5-2 at No. 1 singles this year. She defeated Ali Wingood 6-1, 6-1, and her and Kassidee Webb (So.-Castroville, Texas) also were close in an 8-6 loss at No. 1 doubles to Wingood and Tatiana Overton.


Lakeland 6, Concordia Chicago 3
10/17/2023 at River Forest, Ill. (Concordia Courts)

Singles competition

1. Olivia Heling (LUWT) def. Ali Wingood (CUCWT) 6-1, 6-1

2. Amelia Engelman (CUCWT) def. Mary Blossom (LUWT) 6-2, 7-5

3. Tatiana Overton (CUCWT) def. Kassidee Webb (LUWT) 6-3, 6-2

4. Baylee Babcock (LUWT) def. Kamila Giza (CUCWT) 6-3, 6-1

5. Sadie Conway (LUWT) def. Jessica Parker (CUCWT) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4

6. Sydnee Conway (LUWT) def. Mackenzie Straulin (CUCWT) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Tatiana Overton/Ali Wingood (CUCWT) def. Olivia Heling/Kassidee Webb (LUWT) 8-6

2. Baylee Babcock/Mary Blossom (LUWT) def. Amelia Engelman/Kamila Giza (CUCWT) 8-6

3. Sadie Conway/Sydnee Conway (LUWT) def. Jessica Parker/Mackenzie Straulin (CUCWT) 8-2

Match Notes

Lakeland 5-4, 4-4 NACC

Concordia Chicago 2-12, 2-7 NACC

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,1,2,5,4,3)