The Bluffton College women’s tennis team (3-9) braved cold and windy conditions Saturday morning to host the University of St. Francis in their final dual match of the season. The Cougars provided the Beavers with some good competition, in Bluffton’s final tune-up before the HCAC Championships next weekend. Bluffton dropped an 8-1 decision to the Cougars, despite some well-played matches from the host athletes.
The Beavers’ lone win came at the third singles position, as Kara Schrock picked up a straight sets victory (6-4, 6-3) to record her fourth win of the season in singles play. There were also close matches at the second and fourth singles positions. Stephanie Keefe held a three-game advantage in the first set before eventually falling 7-5, 6-1, while Lisa Cherry won the first set in her match before dropping a three-set decision. Keefe and Cherry, meanwhile, showed some toughness in doubles play as they rallied back from a 5-0 deficit, only to drop an 8-5 decision.
“I’m pretty comfortable with our play going into conference next week,” said Coach Nate Smith. “We’ve been getting some of our shots working more consistently, and at the same time I think we might have gotten some of our bad shots out of the way today. The conditions were tough, and I’m pleased with the fact that our women still expected to play as well as usual, if not better.”
The Beavers have a short week of practice now before heading off to Indianapolis, the site of the 2003 HCAC Championships. This year’s tournament is being held at the West Indy Racquet Club, with the first two rounds of both singles and doubles being played Friday, and the final place rounds being played on Saturday. Bluffton will be looking to improve on their 8th-place finish of a year ago.
Singles
#1 – Britni Delaney (SF) def. Jenna Liechty (BC); 6-1, 6-2
#2 – Kristen Harrow (SF) def. Stephanie Keefe (BC); 7-5, 6-1
#3 – Kara Schrock (BC) def. Leia Prezbindowski (SF); 6-4, 6-3
#4 – Megan Chenault (SF) def. Lisa Cherry (BC); 5-7, 6-0, 6-1
#5 – Jayme Knafel (SF) def. Jenni Blose (BC); 6-2, 6-1
#6 – Jennifer Workman (SF) def. Julie Harsha (BC); 6-4, 6-0
Doubles
#1 – Delaney/Harrow (SF) def. Liechty/Schrock (BC); 8-1
#2 – Prezbindowski/Chenault (SF) def. Keefe/Cherry (BC); 8-5
#3 – Baylas/Johnson (SF) def. Blose/Harsha (BC); 8-2
Final Score: St. Francis 8, Bluffton 1
