The sixth-ranked Denison women's tennis team returns to the championship match of the Midwest Invitational for the fourth consecutive year following an impressive 7-2 victory over seventh-ranked DePauw University on Friday afternoon in Madison, Wis.

Coming off a very competitive three-set match earlier in the day against Luther, senior Marta Drane (Wilmington, Del./Tower Hill) picked up arguably the biggest win of her career when she defeated DePauw's Janelle Arita.  Arita entered the match ranked third in the region and was coming off a 6-2, 6-2 victory over defending national champion Loma McManigle of Emory.  Drane, who is ranked fourth in the region, gained the early advantage with a 6-2 victory in the first set.  The second set of the first singles flight proved to be more of a battle, but the senior was able to grind out a 7-6 decision to earn the victory.  With the win, Drane improved to 10-3 overall and 4-1 at No. 1 singles.

Also picking up straight-set wins for DU were junior Kristin Cobb (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood), and sophomores Erin Chadwell (Chicago, Ill./Traverse City Central) and Kate Westenberger (York, Pa./Dallastown) .  Cobb was victorious at second singles via 6-4, 6-0 scores, while Chadwell (6-4, 6-2) and Westenberger (6-4, 6-1) won at the fourth and sixth flights, respectively.

In double competition, Cobb and Drane, who rank second in the central region, defeated Greer Mackie and Kayla Smith, the central region's third ranked duo, by way of an 8-2 decision.  Chadwell and senior Kara Zdanowski (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) posted an 8-4 win at second doubles, while first-years Jane Lent (Glenview, Ill./Cranbrook-Kingswood) and Alex Marcell (Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy) edged Taylor Prodromos and Tricia Wilks, 8-5, at No. 3 doubles.

The Big Red improves to 9-2 overall, while the Tigers fall to 15-3.  DU returns to action on Saturday when they take on third-ranked Chicago in the championship game of the Midwest Invitational.  Match time from Madison, Wis. is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.