Indianapolis, IN — As thrilling and pulse-raising as winning the first two Mid-Central Conference matches by 5-4 counts was for the Goshen College women’s tennis team, the Leafs learned a salty lesson Tuesday afternoon at MCC foe Marian College.

Losing by that same score is utterly heartbreaking.

After a 1-8 loss to perennial MCC power Indiana Wesleyan snapped a streak of 5-4 wins over Grace College (click here for recap) and then Bethel College (click here for recap), Goshen (2-2, 2-2) learned what it was like to be on the other side of the fence Tuesday, dropping a 4-5 decision to the host Knights without a full team competing.

“We knew the match today was going to be a struggle,” said Sarah Yoder, Goshen head coach. “(Seniors) Erin Gotwals and Katie Martin were not able to attend the match because of student teaching and their responsibilities with ISTEP testing. With our regular roster I am confident this would have been a win for us. Still I am proud of the effort from our players at all nine positions.”

Sophomore Amanda Weybright and freshman Hannah Groff filled in the vacated positions for Yoder’s group, but it was arguably the day’s schedule and lengthy trip that caused the most issues for the Leafs from the outset, according to Yoder.

“Because Marian only has eight courts and the men’s and women’s matches took place at the same time, the format of the match was a little different than most of our matches,” Yoder said. “The men’s teams put all six of their singles matches on at the beginning, leaving us with two courts. The Marian coaches wanted to begin with number two and three doubles. It is always difficult beginning with doubles, especially after a three-hour bus ride. We were sluggish and slow at both positions and soon found ourselves down 0-2.”

Goshen’s number one doubles team of senior Hannah Gingerich and junior Laurelyn Foderaro had no such troubles, however, taking their pairing by an 8-3 count in giving Goshen a legit chance at the overall match win.

“After watching their teammates struggle through doubles matches, Hannah and Laurelyn were ready to go when a court finally opened up for them,” Yoder said. “After dropping the first game, they went on the win the next 7 and soon closed with an impressive 8-3 win over a very solid freshman doubles team. We have experimented with several doubles team combinations since the beginning of the season and even though they had not played together since our first doubles tournament of the season, they clicked immediately. Their communication was strong and both took every opportunity available to close off the net and put balls away.”

Needing to win four of the six singles matches to claim the team win, Goshen’s lack of depth was simply too much to overcome. Weybright, Groff and sophomore Janie Beck all fell in straight sets in the bottom of the lineup for the Leafs, giving Foderaro (number one), Gingerich (number two) and junior Diana Diaz (number three) the knowledge during their respective matches that their results would be moot.

“Marian’s lineup was just too deep for us,” Yoder said. “With the match already decided, Laurelyn, Hannah and Diana did not let down in their matches. Hannah cruised to her most solid singles victory of the season with an impressive 6-0, 6-0 win at number two singles. Her ground strokes and serve were on and she made very few unforced errors. After a disappointing loss last Saturday against a strong IWU player, she was ready to get back on the winning side. Hannah’s senior leadership at both matches and practices has been wonderful. I can always count on her to show up ready to play.

“Laurelyn also had an equally impressive win at number one singles, leaving her undefeated on her singles season,” she continued. “Her power, placement and consistency helped her to win a couple easy games against an impressive freshman. She was also able to hang tough when her opponent raised the level of her game and she won some very important close games to keep the momentum in her direction. The addition of Laurelyn to our team this year has helped raise us to the next level. Her work ethic and focus during matches and practice is something all coaches look for in their players.”

Perhaps the most impressive win of the day came from Diaz, however, as the junior ace struggled through constant leg pain to put away Marian’s Jess Divine by a 6-2, 6-4 count at number three singles.

“Diana turned in a very gutsy performance,” Yoder said. “She played through intense leg pain to beat a tough player and secure our fourth and final point of the day. Her power ground strokes and serve were too much for her opponent to handle. I was so proud of her effort.”

Despite the loss, Yoder said she is encouraged with how her team has competed halfway through the MCC season. Goshen will continue the league grinder on Saturday, when the team will host the University of St. Francis. Match time is set for 10 a.m. at the Goshen College Tennis Complex.

Singles:
#1 Laurelyn Foderaro (G) def. Loriann Laugle (M): 6-4, 6-1
#2 Hannah Gingerich (G) def. Roxy Rose (M): 6-0, 6-0
#3 Diana Diaz (G) def. Jess Divine (M): 6-2, 6-4
#4 Loye Kegley (M) def Hannah Groff (G): 6-1, 6-3
#5 Katrina Kroics (M) def. Janie Beck (G)): 6-3, 6-3
#6 Michelle Sizemore (M) def. Amanda Weyrbight (G): 6-1, 6-2
Doubles:
#1 Foderaro/Gingerich (G) def. Laugle/Divine (M): 8-3
#2 Kegley/Rose (M) def. Diaz/Beck (G): 8-2
#3 Kroics/Sizemore (M) def. Weybright/Groff (G) 8-2