BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Bemidji State University opened its 2003 season today at the John Glas Fieldhouse. The Beavers hosted non-conference opponent the University of North Dakota. The Sioux came out on top 8-1, but the Beavers battled hard in every position.

North Dakota got out to an early lead in the match as they took two of three doubles matches over the Beavers.

The team of sisters from Grand Forks, Katie and Jenni Mihulka, handled BSU’s Kelly Kuntz and Alice Oliviera 8-1 in the No. 1 spot. The No. 2 match slated two former Bemidji High School players against each other. BSU’s Nikki Baird (Bemidji, Minn.) and her teammate Angie Harrison faced Erin Sullivan, also a BHS graduate, and Jenny Cartwright. The Sioux were victorious 8-2 in the match.

The Beavers win came in the No. 3 doubles position where Sherry Kuzel and Holly Gilbertson beat Emily Spicer and Katrina Kittleson 9-8. After the team of Kuzel and Gilbertson took and early 6-2 lead, the Sioux came back strong, but the Beavers would pull it out for their only point of the match.

In singles action, UND took each of the six matches.

Sherry Kuzel was in the No. 1 spot for BSU. She was defeated by Jenny Cartwright 6-2, 6-1. Kuzel took the first two games of the first set but just ran out of steam after her 9-8 marathon doubles match.
North Dakota’s Katie Mihulka pulled out a victory of BSU’s Nikki Baird 6-1, 6-0. Kelly Kuntz was beaten by Erin Sullivan in the No. 3 Spot by the same score.

The Beaver’s Holly Gilbertson stepped into the singles line-up this morning for an ailing Alice Oliviera and battled to a 6-1, 6-1 loss to Jill Wass. “I am really happy with the way she stepped in and played today,” commented BSU head coach Reva Howe.

Erin Siewert played her first singles match for Bemidji State and came up on the short end losing to Jill Differding 6-2, 6-0. And in the sixth spot, Emily Spicer was victorious over the Beavers Angie Harrison 6-0, 6-0.

After the match Howe was optimistic about the way the team had performed. “This has always been one of our toughest opponents of the year. I am really happy with the way the team played.”

The Beavers will be in action again Sunday (Feb. 9th) when they travel to Fargo, N.D. to meet the Dragons from Minnesota State-Moorhead in an NSIC showdown. The match will be played at the Fargo Tennis Center and is set to begin at 5:00 p.m.

University of North Dakota (2-0) at Bemidji State University (0-1)
Bemidji, Minn.

Singles Results
1. Jenny Cartwright (UND) def. Sherry Kuzel (BSU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Katie Mihulka (UND) def. Nikki Baird (BSU) 6-1, 6-0
3. Erin Sulivan (UND) def. Kelly Kuntz (BSU) 6-1, 6-0
4. Jill Wass (UND) def. Holly Gilbertson (BSU) 6-1, 6-1
5. JIll Differding (UND) def. Erin Siewert (BSU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Emily Spicer (UND) def. Angie Harrison (BSU) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles Results
1. K.Mihulka/J. Mihulka (UND) def. Kuntz/Oliviera (BSU) 8-1
2. Sullivan/Cartwright (UND) def. Baird/Harrison (BSU) 8-2
3. Kuzel/Gilbertson (BSU) def. Spicer/Kittleson (UND) 9-8

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