| Fort Wayne, IN — It may have taken a bit longer than what was hoped for, but the Goshen College women’s tennis team picked up its first Mid-Central Conference win of the season Tuesday, defeating the University of St. Francis by a 7-2 score.
Goshen (3-5, 1-5) won all but one singles and one doubles match, taking three of its five singles decisions in straight sets.
“Several pieces finally fell in place today after several disappointing close conference losses earlier in the season,” said Sarah Yoder, Goshen head coach. “Getting our first conference win today was very exciting. Before the match I challenged the team to start strong and to win their first game. As a team we have struggled to play our best tennis from the first point. It takes many of us several games to really get going and against a tough conference opponent you just can’t dig yourself a hole at the beginning of the match. They took my words to heart and we won five of six first sets.”
Leading the way in that regard was freshman Rachel Lanctot (number three singles) and sophomore Hannah Groff (number four), both of which captured 6-0 initial-set wins over their opponents. Lanctot and Groff were joined by senior Laurelyn Foderaro who captured a 6-4, 6-2 win over USF’s Andrea Yoder at the number two singles slot.
“Rachel and Hannah looked especially strong by closing out their first sets without dropping a game,” Yoder said.
A bit more work was required by seniors Diana Diaz and Janie Beck, however, as the tandem provided three-set, bookend wins at number one and six singles. Diaz fought to a delayed dominant performance in a 6-7 (5-7), 6-0, 6-0 decision at number one, while Beck outlasted her opponent in a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 win.
“Diana bounced back after losing a disappointing first set in a tie-breaker and dominated through the next two sets without dropping a single game,” Yoder said. “I am so proud of the improvement she has made since the beginning of the season and her determination to win matches, even without her left (injured) hand. Her hard work on her one-handed backhand has paid off big time during the second part of this season. Janie also was forced to go to a third set and I was proud of how she refocused after losing a disappointing second set and took charge of the third right away.”
The Leafs’ doubles pairings were equally as impressive on the afternoon, as only Lanctot and freshman Alyssa Dewing suffered a loss in a 8-5 decision at number two. Beck and junior Amanda Weybright, meanwhile, were able to handle both their opponents — and a switch to indoor play at the Wildwood Racquet Club — in an 8-5 decision at number three doubles.
“At the beginning of the season we made a team goal of winning two of three doubles matches at each match, and we accomplished that today with a dominating performance at number one doubles,” Yoder said. “Diana and Laurelyn set the stage for the rest of the team. Their powerful serves and aggressive net play helped them cruise to an 8-1 victory. Janie and Amanda also had an exciting win. They started out strong by taking a 4-1 lead, but soon watched their opponents change their strategy and even the score at 5-5. Rain that had been threatening all day broke through towards the end of their match and they were forced to head inside with a slight 6-5 lead. I was so pleased with how focused they were after the transition and they never let their opponents back into the match. They closed for solid 8-5 win.”
After playing four matches in eight days, Yoder’s squad will finally get a bit of a respite, as the team will next host MCC foe Huntington University on Saturday. Match time is set for 10 a.m.
“We will carry the positives from this match into our next conference match on Saturday against Huntington,” Yoder said. “We have our work cut out for us against this strong team. Luckily we have a few days to tighten up a few aspects of our games and we’ll come out with nothing to lose.”
Singles:
#1 Diana Diaz (G) def. Renee Shetterly (SF): 6-7 (5-7), 6-0, 6-0
#2 Laurelyn Foderaro (G) def. Andrea Yoder (SF): 6-4, 6-2
#3 Rachel Lanctot (G) def. Krista VanLue (SF): 6-0, 6-3
#4 Hannah Groff (G) def. Andrea Christlieb (SF): 6-0, 6-4
#5 Barbara Maher (SF) def. Alyssa Dewing (G): 6-2, 2-6, 1-6
#6 Janie Beck (G) def. Courtney Shepard (SF): 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
Doubles:
#1 Diaz/Foderaro (G) def. VanLue/Shetterly: 8-1
#2 Yoder/Maher (SF) def. Lanctot/Dewing: 8-5
#3 Beck and Amanda Weybright (G) def. Cress/Christlieb (SF): 8-5
Exhibition match:
#4 Groff/Wampler (G) def. Cherrington/Shepard (SF): 8-0
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Sophomore Hannah Groff