sweeThe Minnesota women's tennis team returned to action on Friday, earning a 5-2 victory against non-conference opponent Syracuse. Minnesota moves to 4-8 overall.

The Gophers started out strong, sweeping the doubles competition led by the Michaela Havelkova and Valerie Vladea combination.

Minnesota collected all but two wins in the singles round of play. Havelkova earned a win at the end of the first set, 5-0, when Daniela Kaluskova of Syracuse retired due to injury. Minnesota's Kelly Perry dropped the No. 4 singles to Syracuse's Bech Holte after a third set tie-breaker, 6-7, 7-6, 10-4. After dropping the first set, Kandis Batiste bounced back to pick up the next two victories over Jessica Schlosser.

Minnesota will face competition for the rest of March on the road, not returning to home action until April 5. The Gophers will next face Maryland on Sunday at Syracuse at 10 a.m.

Doubles No. 1 Havelkova/Vladea def. Kabanova/Saedinia, 8-5 No. 2 Perry/Rose def. Holte/Schlosser, 8-3 No. 3 Watts/Howard def. Kaluskova/Konstand, 8-3 Singles No. 1 Valerie Vladea def. Masha Kabanova, 6-3, 6-1 No. 2 Michaela Havelkova def. Daniela Kaluskova, 5-0, ret. No. 3 Andrea Rose def. Shervin Saedinia, 6-3, 6-1 No. 4 Bech Holte def. Kelly Perry, 6-7, 7-6 (10-4) No. 5 Kandis Batiste def. Jessica Schlosser, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1 No. 6. Marion Charlier def. Jennifer Howard, 7-5, 6-4