RIPON - Ripon faced a tough non-conference opponent Thursday as they opened up the season by hosting Wisconsin Lutheran. The Red Hawks started out strong, but in the end it was the Warriors who came away victorious.

In number one singles, Ripon's Jamie Lichon began the season on a strong note, winning her first set 6-4 against Emily Henrich. Lichon then went on to drop the next two sets, 3-6, 1-6. In number two play, Kara Spiegelhoff defeated Ripon's Mara Evans 6-3, 6-2. Arielle Denis finally got a point for the Red Hawks, as she defeated Lauren Knoelke in convincing fashion, 6-2, 6-0. Wisconsin Lutheran's Melissa Bernhardt and Rachel Wendt then took the four and five seeded matches, respectively. Bernhardt defeated Lisa Verwys 6-0, 6-2, while Wendt downed Alecia Kiszonas 6-0, 7-6 (7-2). Katie Dricken gave Ripon another point in her sixth seeded match against Alycia Spriggs. Dricken won by the score of 6-3, 6-0.

The Red Hawks fared a little better in doubles competition, winning two of the three matches. Lichon and Verwys took the number one doubles, defeating the team of Spiegelhoff/Henrich 8-5. Chelsey Foster and Kristine Jansen teamed up for the Red Hawks to win the third ranked doubles over Knoelke and Spriggs by the score of 8-1. Number two doubles went to Wisconsin Lutheran's Bernhardt and Wendt, as they defeated Kara Wagner and Meagan Sykes 8-5.

Ripon's next contest will be Wednesday, September 6, as they'll go on the road to play Lakeland College. That match will begin at 3:30 p.m.