Goshen, IN — The current brand of tennis the Goshen College women’s tennis team is playing may be exciting for fans and apt for highlight reels, but it could be giving Leafs’ head coach Sarah Yoder an anxiety disorder.

Goshen (2-0, 2-0) again rallied to defeat archrival Bethel College by a 5-4 count Friday afternoon, only days after knocking out Grace College by the same score in the team’s Mid-Central Conference opener (click here for article).

“It certainly doesn’t get any closer than this,” said an exasperated Yoder following Friday’s match. “It’s good to see our players perform under the pressure of a match riding on their shoulders, but it can take its toll on a coach watching behind the fence.”

Yoder has watched her team scratch and claw for every win of the season thus far, a daunting realization given that the year is only two matches old. Goshen took to the courts Friday afternoon to face the Pilots after an original Tuesday match was rained out — and Yoder said her team knew the challenge would be great.

With singles play setting the day’s stage, Goshen recorded its first point from senior Hannah Gingerich, defeating Bethel’s Missy Vermillion by a 6-2, 6-4 count at the number two singles position. Bethel then took the three, four and six singles slots, putting the Leafs in a quick 3-1 hole just an hour into the match.

“Hannah gave us a very solid start and was able to close out against a player who strengthened as the match went on,” Yoder said. “After Bethel won the three, four and six spots, we knew we needed at least one more singles point if we were going to have a chance at winning the match.”

Yoder received not one, but two points from her number one and five slots, as senior Erin Gotwals fought back in a gutsy 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Bethel’s Sherra Milender at six while junior Laurelyn Foderaro took an extremely lengthy 6-4, 6-4 win at number one to tie the overall point total at 3-3 heading into doubles play.

Gotwals’ match was impressive to Yoder given that she led 3-0 in the first set before dropping the next six games in her 3-6 loss, while Foderaro stepped in nicely for an injured Diana Diaz (junior) who did not play singles due to a nagging injury.

“After a strong start, Erin went on to lose six straight games and therefore dropped the first set,” Yoder said. “Instead of being discouraged, Erin regrouped, relaxed and got her groundstrokes working. She won a dominating second set, 6-1, and was able to remain strong even when her opponent upped her game in the third set. Within a matter of minutes, Laurelyn secured our third team point by finishing off a long, grueling match. Laurelyn played exceptionally well against a smart, number one player. It was not a power match, but instead one that used a variety of shots, spins and speeds. This was a physical match with lots of deuces and long points. Laurelyn was able to hold her serve and she found her opportunities to break (Bethel’s Bree) Oles’s serve and secure the singles win.”

With doubles play becoming the deciding factor in the overall match, Goshen got tremendous play from its number two and three pairings, as Foderaro paired with senior Katie Martin for an 8-4 win at number two while Gotwals teamed with sophomore Janie Beck for an 8-3 win in the three hole. Those matches helped capture the team win after Gingerich and Diaz lost a tough, 8-5 decision at number one doubles.

“Erin and Janie were sharp from the beginning in doubles play,” Yoder said. “They came out to a quick 4-1 lead and never let down. With the combination of solid, deep, penetrating groundstrokes and put-away volleys at the net, their opponents never had a chance to get back in the match. Diana and Hannah were neck and neck with their opponents until the leg injury that has been hampering Diana all season considerably weakened her mobility. Diana was not able to play a singles match because of her injury, Compartment Syndrome, but she thought she could play through doubles. They dropped a close 8-5 match to a solid doubles team.

“With the outcome of the match riding on their shoulders, Laurelyn and Katie, rose to the occasion,” Yoder continued. “After sluggish start, with plenty of missed volleys and groundstrokes, they were still right with their opponents 3-4. They upped the level of their game and won the next five games to secure the match for Goshen.”

As thrilling as the win was for Goshen, Yoder said there is reason for major concern surrounding Diaz’s injury. Goshen College athletic training staff reported that only the symptoms of Diaz’s injury can be treated at this time, making her a day-to-day decision for Yoder.

Diaz and squad will have very little time to savor its Friday win, as the team gets a full night’s rest before hosting perennial conference power Indiana Wesleyan University Saturday morning. Match time is set for 11 a.m. at the Goshen College Tennis Complex.

Singles:
#1 Laurelyn Foderaro (G) def. Bree Oles (B): 6-4, 6-4
#2 Hannah Gingerich (G) def. Missy Vermillion (B): 6-2, 6-4
#3 Jade Walus (B) def. def. Katie Martin (G): 6-2, 6-1
#4 Abbie Hostetler (B) def Hannah Groff (G): 6-2, 6-2
#5 Erin Gotwals (G) def. Sherra Milender (B): 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
#6 Erin Katterheinrich (B) def. Janie Beck (G): 6-3, 6-2
Doubles:
#1 Oles/Vermillion (B) def. Gingerich/Diaz (G): 8-5
#2 Foderaro/Martin (G) def. Hostetler/Milender (B): 8-4
#3 Gotwals/Janie Beck (G) def Walus/Katterheinrich (B): 8-3