WAUKESHA, Wis. – Despite a strong effort in doubles action Saturday morning, Carrol's women's tennis team fell to conference-foe, North Central (Ill.) College, in the Pios' 2024 home opener.
 
The Pioneers (1-1, 0-1 CCIW) fought hard in all three positions, but came up empty, as they did not secure a doubles point. At one doubles sophomore partners Natasa Pupovac and Kate Trifilio matched up against juniors Abby Penados and Kensington Payne. In what turned out to be a back-and-forth match, Pupovac and Trifilio ultimately fell 5-7. In the second position, Makayla Counsell and Gracie Niebler faced off against Ainara Casado Cedillo and Priya Harris. In another thriller, the Pioneers fell short losing 4-6 to the North Central duo. Finally, in the third position, Erin Horzewski and Laurel Nelson fell to Kayla McSweeney and Kate Herlihy.
 
Despite promising doubles scores, North Central completed the sweep of the Pioneers through singles. At the top flight, Pupovac fell to Penados 1-6, 0-6. Trifilio showed promise at second singles but ultimately lost 3-6, 2-6 to Payne. At three singles, Counsell was defeated by Harris 1-6, 1-6. Despite a valiant effort at four singles, Niebler fell to Herlihy 3-6, 1-6. Rounding out the fifth and sixth spots, lost to Casado Cedillo 2-6, 0-6 and Emily Stern lost to Liveta Ezerskis 0-6, 0-6.
 
Despite the final score, the Pioneers see this as a building block as they continue conference play. Carroll will take on North Park University in Chicago on Friday.