| Goshen, IN — Considering the Goshen College women’s tennis team opened its 2007 season with a doubles invitational this weekend, Tuesday’s Mid-Central Conference opener against Taylor University was a letdown on many levels.
Goshen (0-1, 0-1) opened Tuesday afternoon’s play by dropping all three doubles sets to the Trojans, putting extreme pressure on the Leafs’ singles portion of the lineup. Following a 50 percent success rate at the latter — Goshen won out the bottom half of the singles lineup — the Leafs had succumbed to a 3-6 loss.
“Our doubles let us down today,” said Sarah Yoder, Goshen head coach. “You can’t lose at all three of your doubles positions and expect to pull out many matches in this conference. It was obvious to me that this was our first true match of the season. Our freshmen were dealing with first-match jitters and overall we didn’t look comfortable and confident on the court. Hopefully as we continue to play we will gain some collective confidence.”
Seniors Diana Diaz and Laurelyn Foderaro — at number one doubles — were the only Leafs’ tandem to provide much resistance, dropping a 9-7 decision. The Leafs’ number two and three doubles squads won only a combined three games.
And while Diaz and Foderaro dropped hard-fought decisions in singles play, sophomore Hannah Groff led the Leafs with a 6-3, 6-1 win over the Trojans’ Sarah Billman. Freshman Alyssa Dewing and senior Janie Beck took wins at the number five and six singles positions, respectively, in rounding out Goshen’s team points.
“Hannah Groff dominated in her singles win at number four,” Yoder said. “She put considerable time into her game this summer and already she is reaping the rewards of her hard work. Her 6-3, 6-1 win was the most convincing of the day. Alyssa Dewing bounced back after a disappointing doubles match to win at number five for us. After dropping the first three games to her opponent, she dug her heels in, grinded out some long points and games and won 6-4, 6-3. Alyssa joined our team with considerable doubles experience, so seeing her have success at singles right away is exciting. Janie Beck also fought back from a first set deficit of 1-5 to win her first set in a tie-break and close out the second 6-4. Janie’s fitness and foot speed were huge factors in her win.”
Yoder said that while her team needs some time to work, the Leafs’ schedule provides no such luxury. Goshen will travel to Indiana Tech for a non-league match Thursday at 4 p.m.
“We will practice tomorrow to sharpen a few elements of our games and head to Indiana Tech on Thursday,” she said. “The team was disappointed to lose our season opener tonight, but I expect them to come out ready and eager to work hard tomorrow.”
Singles:
#1 Kristin Goeke (T) def. Diana Diaz (G): 6-2, 6-2
#2 Kristine Bolinger (T) def. Laurelyn Foderaro (G): 7-6, 6-0
#3 Kaiti Marsh (T) def. Rachel Lanctot (G): 5-7, 6-2, 6-0
#4 Hannah Groff (G) def. Sarah Billman (T): 6-3, 6-1
#5 Alyssa Dewing (G) def. Mary Horton (T): 6-4, 6-3
#6 Janie Beck (G) def. Kelly King (T): 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
Doubles:
#1 Goeke/Marsh (T) def Diaz/Foderaro (G): 9-7
#2 Bolinger/Horton (T) def. Lanctot/Dewing (G): 8-2
#3 King/Mathers (T) def. Beck/Weybright (G): 8-1
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Sophomore Hannah Groff