| Goshen, IN — Eerily mirroring the Goshen College men’s tennis team, the Leafs’ women’s squad again came up just shy in its latest Mid-Central Conference match against Spring Arbor University, falling by a 6-3 score at the Goshen College Tennis Complex.
The conference loss was the fourth by a 6-3 count of the season for Goshen (3-7, 1-7), which has a pair of 5-4 league defeats as well.
The narrow losses may drive Goshen head coach Sarah Yoder to counsel Leafs’ men’s tennis head coach Stan King, as his squad has been equally close — but short — in pushing to a current 2-6, 2-5 mark (click here for related article).
“ Again we came painstakingly close to another conference win and could not win the important points or games,” Yoder said Tuesday evening. “Three of our six singles matches went three sets and all three of our doubles matches were close. As a whole, we are struggling to stay match tough. We had opportunities to close out both the number two and three doubles matches and just could not win the important points.”
Freshmen Rachel Lanctot and junior Amanda Weybright lost a heartbreaking 9-8 (8-6) decision at number two doubles while senior Janie Beck and sophomore Hannah Groff suffered an equally depressing 8-6 defeat at the number three doubles’ slot. In singles play, Beck and freshman Alyssa Dewing dropped three-set decisions.
Goshen’s only points of the afternoon came courtesy of seniors Diana Diaz and Laurelyn Foderaro, as the tandem knocked off Spring Arbor’s top doubles’ team by an 8-6 score and then calmly took the top two singles positions. Diaz came back to win a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 decision over SAU’s Amy Smith at the number one singles flight, while Foderaro had an easier time with the Cougars’ Rachel Kafader in a 6-0, 6-4 win at number two singles.
“The exception to our general rule (of losing close matches) came from our senior leaders, Diana Diaz and Laurelyn Foderaro,” Yoder said. “They teamed together to fend off two solid number one doubles opponents 8-6 and then turned around and won in their singles matches as well. Laurelyn dominated at number two singles from the beginning, not dropping a game in her first set. She held tough in the second set when her opponent starting pushing her and winning a few games. Laurelyn is looking at a great seed in our tournament next weekend and a chance to go all the way in her flight. Diana dropped a close first set 4-6 against a quick, consistent playing at number one singles and soon found herself down 3-0 in the second. She brought her targets in a little, made fewer mistakes, and was able to win six of the next seven games to close the second set. She used this momentum to start strong in the third and close out with a solid 6-3 set.”
Goshen was able to secure pride points in a pair of exhibition singles matches, as Weybright and freshman Chelsea Wampler each handed their SAU counterparts straight-set losses.
The Leafs will have an immediate turnaround for their next match, as the team will take to the road Wednesday for a non-league tilt at Anderson University. Match time is set for 4 p.m.
Singles:
#1 Diana Diaz (G) def. Amy Smith (SA): 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
#2 Laurelyn Foderaro (G) def. Rachel Kafader (SA): 6-0, 6-4
#3 Elissa Mercer (SA) def. Rachel Lanctot (G): 6-4, 6-0
#4 Lauren Crawford (SA) def. Hannah Groff (G): 6-3, 6-2
#5 Karley Beene (SA) def. Alyssa Dewing (G): 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
#6 Jaci Holsem (SA) def. Janie Beck (G): 3-6, 6-0, 6-2
Doubles:
#1 Diaz/Foderaro (G) def. Smith/Kafader (SA): 8-6
#2 Mercer/Crawford (SA) def. Lanctot/Weybright (G): 9-8 (8-6)
#3 Beebe/Gohl (SA) def. Beck/Groff (G): 8-6
Exhibition matches:
Amanda Weybright (G) def. Christie Gohl (SA): 6-1, 6-3
Chelsea Wampler (G) def. Alyssa Eubanks (SA): 6-4, 6-4
Eubanks/Holsem (SA) def. Groff/Wampler (G) 9-8 (7-1)
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  Seniors Laurelyn Foderaro and Diana Diaz
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