KALAMAZOO, Mich. & VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Oakland women's tennis team put up strong competition, but dropped both of its matches over the weekend, falling to Western Michigan and Valparaiso on the road.

AGAINST THE BRONCOS
The Golden Grizzlies (2-4) opened their weekend at Western Michigan (5-4), seeking their first-ever victory over the Broncos. Juniors Edie Hammond and Emilia Jarvinen continued their strong doubles play, cruising to a 6-1 win. However, Western Michigan ultimately secured the doubles point.

While Oakland dropped in the first two singles matches, freshman Oliwia Klimas (6-4, 6-3) and sophomore Martyna Piechowicz (6-2, 6-4) responded with straight-set victories to get the Golden Grizzlies on the board. With Western Michigan holding a 3-2 advantage, the match came down to the final two courts, with Oakland needing to win both to complete the comeback. Hammond and Jarvinen each battled into a deciding third set, but came up just short, giving Western Michigan a 5-2 win.

AGAINST VALPO
For the first time in five matches, the Golden Grizzlies (2-6) secured the doubles point. After being down 0-1, Piechowicz and senior Tara Montreuil evened the score with a 6-4 victory. With the No. 1 court determining the doubles point, the match went into a tiebreaker, where Oakland's Hammond and Jarvinen prevailed, 7-6(4).

Oakland shuffled its singles lineup, moving Piechowicz to the No. 1 court for the first time this season. The switch bumped sophomore Nisa Bulut to the No. 2 position, aiming to spark more success from the former Horizon League Freshman of the Year.

Klimas (6-1, 6-1), extending her singles winning streak to six, put Oakland ahead 2-0 with another straight-sets victory. However, the Golden Grizzlies dropped the next three matches before Hammond picked up a 6-2, 6-4 win to level the score at 3-3. It all came down to the No. 2 court and Bulut for Oakland. After fighting for extra points to try and force a third set, Bulut eventually fell 3-6, 5-7, giving Valpo the final singles point and the match.

Three of Oakland's five losses this season have been decided by one point, underscoring Oakland's competitiveness against its opponents.

DOUBLES RESULTS
Oakland vs. Western Michigan

1. Hammond/Jarvinen def. Glantz/Weijerman, 6-1 
2. Frazier/Osborne def. Bulut/Klimas, 6-3
3. Khotko/Smitek def. Montreuil/Piechowicz

Oakland vs. Valparaiso 

1. Hammond/Jarvinen def. Tanner/Pop, 7-6(4)
2. Silva/Steven def. Bulut/Klimas, 6-2
3. Montreuil/Piechowicz def. Rogers/Delgado, 6-4

SINGLES RESULTS
Oakland vs. Western Michigan

1. Glantz def. Bulut, 6-1, 6-3
2. Piechowicz def. Weijerman, 6-2, 6-4
3. Klimas def. Smitek, 6-4, 6-3,
4. Osborne def. Hammond, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
5. Yaguchi def. Jarvinen, 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 6-3
6. Frazier def. Montreuil, 6-1, 6-0

Oakland vs. Valparaiso

1. Silva def. Piechowicz, 6-2, 6-4
2. Popa def. Bulut, 6-3, 7-5
3. Klimas def. Tanner, 6-1, 6-1
4. Hammond def. Steven, 6-2, 6-4
5. Delgado def. Jarvinen, 6-3, 6-2
6. Fernandes def. Montreuil, 6-2, 6-3

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Total (Singles, Doubles)
Hammond 3-1 (1-1, 2-0)
Piechowicz 2-2 (1-1, 1-1)
Klimas 2-2 (2-0, 0-2)
Jarvinen 2-2 (0-2, 2-0)
Montreuil 1-3 (0-2, 1-1)
Bulut 0-4 (0-2, 0-2)

UP NEXT: Oakland will host its home opener on February 19 against Bradley University at Bloomfield Tennis and Fitness. 

How to Follow Oakland Women's Tennis: For complete information on Oakland Women's Tennis, follow the team on Instagram at @oaklandtennis_ and on X at @OaklandWTennis.