Newton girls edge Grinnell on Senior Night

Five seniors played a big role in the Newton girls tennis team’s home win over Grinnell on Thursday during Little Hawkeye Conference action.

The Cardinals also got great production from the backend of its lineup and that was key in a 6-5 triumph on Senior Night at Aurora Heights Park.

Newton and Grinnell were tied at 3-all after the singles round. The Cardinals got wins at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 doubles to secure their first conference dual victory of the spring.

Four of the six wins for Newton (3-5 overall, 1-4 in conference play) came from five seniors.

Senior Chassidy Henwood is now 7-1 at No. 2 singles after she won 6-4, 6-7 (1), 10-6 over Corra Fenske.

But it was wins by senior Katie McConnell and Jerica Dafflitto at No. 4 and No. 5 singles and Megan and Molly Lovan at No. 4 doubles that pushed the Cardinals past the Tigers.

McConnell defeated Laynie Van Nevel-Clark 6-4, 3-6, 10-6 and Dafflitto won 6-2, 6-4 over Malynn Pavey. Dafflitto improved to 3-1 at No. 5 singles.

The Lovan sisters dominated their Grinnell foes 6-0, 6-2 in doubles. Also winning in doubles were Lauryn Garrett and Alyssa Shannon and Ella Swarts and Olivia Hotchkin.

Garrett and Shannon won 7-5, 6-2 at No. 3 doubles, while Swarts and Hotchkin were 6-0, 6-2 winners at No. 5 doubles.

The Cardinals were 2-3 in three-set matches. Garrett and Megan Lovan each lost in three sets at No. 3 and No. 6 singles, respectively, and Henwood and McConnell lost in three sets at No. 2 doubles.