LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The Lawrence University women's tennis team opened its season Thursday with an 8-1 nonconference loss to UW-La Crosse at Green Island Tennis Park.
    Lawrence's win on the day came from first-year player Anna Vanden Acker, who knocked off Izzy Schmiesing 6-7, (4-7), 6-3, 10-6 at No. 5 singles. Making her collegiate debut, Vanden Acker bounced back after dropping a tiebreaker in the opening set to take the second set in impressive fashion. The super-tiebreaker was tied 6-6 before Vanden Acker reeled off the next four points to close out the match. 
    Lawrence also had a tight match at No. 2 singles as Lawrence senior Lauren Aturaliya took the opening set 7-5 against Ani Bulbulian. Bulbulian grabbed a 5-2 lead in the second set before Aturaliya won the next two games to trim the margin to 5-4. Bulbulian hung on to win the second set 6-4 and then took the super-tiebreaker 10-2.
    Lawrence's No. 1 doubles team of Margot Connor and Emma Koppa also put in a strong effort and led before Kellie Hierl and Schmiesing came back to post an 8-6 victory.
    Lawrence returns to action on Saturday when the Vikings travel to Kohler, Wis., to face Lakeland University.

UW-La Crosse 8, Lawrence 1
Singles 
1. Kellie Hierl (UWL) def. Margot Connor (LU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Ani Bulbulian (UWL) def. Lauren Aturaliya (LU) 5-7, 6-4, 10-2
3. Katie Kearney (UWL) def. Emma Koppa (LU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Emma Heinert (UWL) def. Chloe Lamb (LU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Anna Vanden Acker (LU) def. Izzy Schmiesing (UWL) 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 10-6
6. Kate Townsend (UWL) def. Amelia Watson (LU) 6-1, 6-1
 
Doubles
1. Kellie Hierl/Izzy Schmiesing (UWL) def. Margot Connor/Emma Koppa (LU) 8-6
2. Katie Kearney/Ani Bulbulian (UWL) def. Lauren Aturaliya/Chloe Lamb (LU) 8-3
3. Emma Heinert/Kate Townsend (UWL) def. Amelia Watson/Morgan Fisher (LU) 8-2