The UIS women's tennis team opened its 2025 fall season on Saturday afternoon, falling 7-0 to Valparaiso at Dowling Park in Hammond, Ind. The match marked the first competition of the year for a Prairie Stars lineup that featured three newcomers making their collegiate debuts.

Valpo secured the doubles point by sweeping all three courts. At No. 1, Ema Norma Bordean and Niamh Grogan fell 6-3. At No. 2, Alisha Deogaonkar and Cristina Mendoza Romero were edged 6-4. At No. 3, Jane Carter and Maria Garcia Gama dropped their match 6-1.

In singles play, Bordean was defeated 6-1, 6-0 at the top spot. Mendoza Romero battled at No. 2 before falling 6-4, 6-2. Grogan pushed her opponent to a first-set tiebreak at No. 3 but came up short 7-6 (9-7), 6-1. Deogaonkar made her debut at No. 4 and fell 6-3, 6-1. Carter played at No. 5 and was topped 6-0, 6-0. Garcia Gama closed out the lineup at No. 6, falling 6-0, 6-2.

Up Next
UIS moves to 0-1 on the season and will continue play Sunday morning with a 9:00 a.m. matchup against host Purdue Northwest to close out opening weekend.