MOLINE, Ill. – Despite setbacks at the top two singles spots Wednesday, Augustana opened CCIW play with a 7-2 win over North Central at the Quad City Tennis Club. Originally scheduled for the Lower Campus Courts, rain moved the competition indoors. Coach Jon Miedema's Vikings moved to 1-0 on the season and in the conference, while the visiting Cardinals are now 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the league.
 
Augustana scored decisive 8-2 wins at both second and third singles. At number two, it was junior Zeana Badawi (Hinsdale Central HS, Burr Ridge, Ill.) and sophomore Annie Timm (Prairie Ridge HS, Crystal Lake, Ill.) downing Diana Barcelata and Morgan House, while sophomore Leraaen Abbott (Belvidere North HS, Belvidere, Ill.) and Morgan Bullen (Colorado Academy, Lakewood, Colo.) bested Katherine McGraw and Tiffany Smolik at number three.
 
Miedema's number one team of Caitlyn Schaffer (Kenwood Academy, Chicago, Ill.) and Madeline Lombardi (Edwardsville HS, Glen Carbon, Ill.) gave the Vikings a sweep of doubles play. The senior duo defeated Hannah Houglnd and Alaina Kanthaphixay 9-7.
 
Badawi and freshman Kalli Majewski (Mundelein HS, Mundelein, Ill.) got Augustana off to a solid start in singles action. Each took care of their opponents 6-1, 6-0 at numbers three and six, respectively. Badawi beat Kanthaphixay and Majewski handled Smolik.
 
Lombardi and sophomore Maleeha Chowdhury (Rock Canyon HS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) were winners at fourth and fifth singles, respectively. Lombardi scored a 7-5, 6-2 win over House and Chowdhury defeated McGraw 7-6, 6-4.
 
Schaffer fell to Barcelata 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 at first singles and Timm lost 7-5, 6-0 to Hougland at number two.
 
Miedema's crew continues CCIW play on Saturday, September 8. The Vikings are scheduled to take on Millikin in Decatur, Illinois at 9:00 a.m. and Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, Illinois at 2:00 p.m.