The Kansas State tennis team opened the spring portion of their season with a 6-1 home win over Drake last weekend.
K-State (1-0) swept its opponents in straight sets after Drake (0-1) claimed the doubles point.
Freshmen Charlotte Keitel and Jillian Harkin, a Manhattan High standout, got a 6-2 win over Drake’s Nicole Lee and Elizabete Kalvinska in the No. 3 spot, but the Bulldogs won the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles match to earn the point.
In singles play, Vanesa Suarez swept Ines Stephani (6-3, 6-4) and Manami Ukita swept Mille Haagensen (6-3, 6-1).
In the third singles spot, junior Veronika Kulhava, a transfer from Temple, earned her first dual match win as a Wildcay, sweeping Kalvinska 6-2, 6-4.
Keitel swept Rebecca Ehn (6-2, 6-1) in the No. 4 spot and Tereza Polakova (6-4, 6-0) and sophomore Maria Santos (6-3, 6-3) swept their opponents as well, finishing the Bulldogs off.
“Proud of how the team responded after the doubles point today,” head coach Jordan Smith said in a written statement. “We settled down in singles and competed very well. Overall, it was a hard fought, complete effort by our ladies. It’s a young team but happy to see where they can go. Will have to be tougher for our next match against Wichita State.”
Up next, the Wildcats will face in-state rival Wichita State (1-1) at the Wichita Country Club on Friday at 4 p.m.