natThe University of Minnesota women's tennis team opened the season today with a 5-2 loss to Rice in the Minnesota Court Classic at the Baseline Tennis Center. The Golden Gophers, ranked 40th in the nation, gained their lone victories at No. 1 and No. 3 singles.

The 75th-ranked Owls gained the doubles point with a three-match sweep to begin the dual. UM's top duo of Angela Buergis and Nischela Reddy dropped an 8-6 match to Lauren Archer and Blair DiSesa in the closest doubles match of the afternoon.

In singles play, Buergis gained the Maroon and Gold's first point with a 6-2, 7-5 triumph over 51st-ranked Archer. At No. 2, Reddy was edged in a three-set thriller with DiSesa, falling 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (8). Minnesota's only other win on the day came at No. 3 as newcomer Ida Malmberg dispatched Tracie Chong, 7-5, 6-2.

The Golden Gophers close out the Minnesota Court Classic tomorrow at 1 p.m., against No. 29 Georgia Tech. Rice faces No. 14 William & Mary at 9 a.m., at the Baseline Tennis Center.

Rice 5, Minnesota 2
Minnesota Court Classic
Jan. 31, 2004
Baseline Tennis Center - Minneapolis, Minn.

Singles
No. 1 - Angela Buergis (UM) def. Lauren Archer (Rice), 6-2, 7-5
No. 2 - Blair DiSesa (Rice) def. Nischela Reddy (UM), 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (8)
No. 3 - Ida Malmberg (UM) def. Tracie Chong (Rice), 7-5, 6-2
No. 4 - Karen Chao (Rice) def. Lindsay Risebrough (UM), 6-3, 3-6, 6- 3
No. 5 - Yasmin Fisher (Rice) def. Megan Steiger (UM), 6-1, 6-0
No. 6 - Annie Goodrich (Rice) def. Emily Bezek (UM), 6-0, 6-1

Doubles
No. 1 - Archer/DiSesa (Rice) def. Buergis/Reddy (UM), 8-6
No. 2 - Chong/Chao (Rice) def. Malmberg/Risebrough (UM), 8-5
No. 3 - Fisher/Goodrich (Rice) def. Bezek/Steiger (UM), 8-0