Spring Arbor, MI — At first, it was slightly odd. Then it became bizarre. Now, it has become a major statistical improbability, defying all logic.

The Goshen College women’s tennis team defeated Mid-Central Conference rival Spring Arbor University Saturday, claiming its fourth win by that margin and fourth win overall on the season. The decision marks the first time in the 34-year history of the program that a Leafs’ team has claimed four, 5-4 wins in any single year, and is the first time in program history that a team had won all of its contests by 5-4 scores outside of an initial two.

Saturday’s opening to the match paralleled the oddity that has become Goshen’s season, as the team started play indoors in Spring Arbor’s fieldhouse but concluded outside once the courts were dried from a previous-day rain. Leafs’ head coach Sarah Yoder even took part in the drying process, as Goshen’s leader did not want the match to continue inside.

“It was a strange day and a strange beginning to our match today,” Yoder said. “I had hoped (the indoor courts) would be a last resort because the surface is not the same as a tennis court and the courts have basketball and volleyball court lines running through them. The ceiling is also very low. Not the ideal location for a conference match. Spring Arbor’s coach was ready to play inside and I agreed to put two doubles matches on while we worked to dry off the courts. While the two doubles teams warmed up, several of our players and myself, along with the two other coaches, were outside drying courts off. Both indoor doubles matches had just completed a couple games when we pulled them off to finish outdoors. We were able to put the third doubles match on with them and by the time all the doubles matches were finished we had six dry courts for singles.”

With the housekeeping completed, Goshen (4-3, 4-3) quickly gathered two of the three doubles positions for points, winning number one and two play by 8-6 and 8-4 scores, respectively. The Leafs’ number three squad — senior Erin Gotwals and junior Janie Beck — suffered a hard-fought 8-6 loss, though Yoder said the decision may have been different had the tandem had their best stuff working.

“The top of our line-up was sharp today and pulled us through a very close match,” Yoder said. “After a little bit of a slow start (junior) Diana (Diaz) and (senior) Katie Martin closed out a relatively easy 8-4 pro-set at number. (Junior) Laurelyn (Foderaro) and (senior) Hannah (Gingerich) stayed right with their opponents, winning every other game, until the end when they won two in a row to seal the 8-6 victory. Our number three lost an equally close match 6-8. They were not on their ‘A games’ today and on another day it would have been a win for Janie and Erin.”

With two points in the bag, Goshen received — naturally — just enough of the six singles points for the team win. Foderaro and Diaz took straight set wins at the number one and three positions, while Gingerich took a hard-fought 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 win at number two to seal the deal.

“Hannah stayed tough after a late surge by her opponent in the first set,” Yoder said. “After being up 4-1 in the first set, Hannah soon found herself in a first set tie-break. Along with playing against her opponent she also had some obnoxious fans beside her court who didn’t know tennis etiquette and were cheering loudly in the middle of points and being very distracting to her. Still she stayed focused, won a close 7-5 tie breaker, and went on to win an easy 6-2 second set.

“Laurelyn and Diana both dropped only three games in their two-set victories,” Yoder continued. “They looked especially sharp and dominating. Katie played her best singles of the season today and lost a close two set match to a solid opponent 6-4, 6-4. Erin also dropped just her second singles match of the season to a steady player at number six. On another day both of these matches could have gone the other way.”

With just one regular-season conference meet remaining and just two weeks until the start of the MCC Tournament, Yoder said she is confident her team can play its best tennis when it matters most.

“While we had disappointments about not winning in a few extra positions today we acknowledge the importance of pulling off another team win 5-4,” Yoder said. “We have lost a few close matches this year and won a lot of close matches, but the improvement over last year is exciting. We will take Sunday off, and gear practice on Monday towards our last conference match of the season against Taylor (University).”

Goshen will travel to Taylor to take on the Lady Trojans Tuesday afternoon. Match time is set for 4 p.m.

Singles:
#1 Laurelyn Foderaro (G) def. Anna Cotton (SAU): 6-2, 6-1
#2 Hannah Gingerich (G) def. Amy Smith (SAU): 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
#3 Diana Diaz (G) def. Rachael Kafader (SAU): 6-1, 6-2
#4 Karley Beebe (SAU) def. Katie Martin (G): 6-4, 6-4
#5 Elissa Mercer (SAU) def Hannah Groff (G): 6-0, 6-2
#6 Shannon Skarritt (SAU) def Erin Gotwals (G): 6-3, 6-4
Doubles:
#1 Foderaro/Gingerich (Goshen) def. Smith/Kafader 8-6
#2 Diaz/Martin (G) def. Cotton/Skarnitt (SAU): 8-4
#3 Beebe/Mercer (SAU) def. Gotwals/Beck (Goshen) 8-6