By Garrett Gess · Contributing Writer
The Grove City women’s tennis team took down Franciscan 6-1 in a home match last Monday, Sept. 29 to improve to 5-0 in conference play and 6-1 on the season.
In singles action, Grove City clinched the team victory with five wins, four of which came in straight sets. From the first singles position, freshman Grace Yurko produced a key come-from-behind win, securing two of three sets to seal the victory.
Senior Peyton Joines then rolled to a 6-2, 6-0 triumph at third singles, while sophomore Iris Kiehl dominated at fourth singles with a 6-1, 6-0 win. Freshmen Emma Flanigan and Blaire Beatty both recorded 6-0, 6-0 shutouts at fifth and sixth singles, respectively.
In doubles play, the Wolverines picked up key victories in the second and third matches. Yurko and Joines teamed for a convincing 6-0 win at second doubles, while Kiehl and Beatty secured a 6-2 triumph at third doubles.
The Wolverines hosted their senior day festivities against non-conference Mount Aloysius last Saturday, Sept. 27.
The Wolverines dominated from the start against the Mounties. In singles play, Grove City swept all six matches.
At the top of the lineup, freshman Grace Stitt earned a hard-fought 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (10-6) win at first singles, while Yurko rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 victory at second. Joines posted a perfect 6-0, 6-0 result at third singles, and senior Courtney DeCarlo followed with a 6-2, 6-1 win at the fourth spot. Senior Julia Ehrenberger added a 6-1, 6-0 decision at fifth singles, and senior Cana Severson closed the sweep with a 6-1, 6-2 triumph at sixth.
The Wolverines also swept doubles play. The freshman duo of Stitt and Flanigan teamed for a 6-4 victory at first doubles. The senior duo of Joines and DeCarlo battled to a 6-4 win at second and Severson and Ehrenberger rounded out the sweep with a 6-1 victory at third doubles.
At the beginning of the season, the Wolverines were selected second in the annual preseason coaches’ poll with 55 points, including one first-place vote, following an 11-5 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark in 2024. Grove City stands as the leading challenger to defending champion Allegheny, who claimed the top spot in this year’s poll.
Joines, a returning Second Team All-PAC honoree in both singles and doubles, headlines a strong Wolverine roster.
She is joined by Kiehl, with an impressive group of newcomers that add depth and talent. Beatty, Stitt and Yurko are all listed among the PAC Players to Watch for 2025, signaling the immediate impact Grove City expects from its first-year class.
With a balanced lineup of veteran leadership and young talent, the Wolverines aim to build on last year’s success and compete for the PAC championship, two seasons removed from their 2023 championship.
The conference regular season concludes on Oct. 11, with the six-team PAC tournament scheduled for Oct. 14–18. The winner will secure the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships, which is a goal Grove City looks ready to pursue.
After taking on the defending PAC champion Allegheny Gators on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Wolverines return home tomorrow, Oct. 4, to face off against the Washington & Jefferson Presidents. Action is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Walters-Zbell Tennis Courts.
