| Fort Wayne, IN — It may have been the first win of the season for the Goshen College women’s tennis program Thursday at Indiana Tech, but it wasn’t the first commanding performance by the Leafs’ lower half of the lineup.
Goshen (1-1, 0-1) took out the host Warriors by an 8-1 team score, again powered by its lower flights, as the Leafs’ bottom three singles positions surrendered just five total games on the afternoon in a domineering exhibition.
“It was nice to bounce back with a win after losing a tough match to Taylor (University) on Tuesday,” said Sarah Yoder, Goshen head coach. “I was pleased with how our doubles took care of business right away, and I was pleased with how the bottom half of our singles line-up played very strong.”
The Leafs’ doubles’ play was of concern to Yoder Tuesday against Taylor — Goshen dropped all three positions — but the play of singles’ positions four, five and six was not: Sophomore Hannah Groff, freshman Alyssa Dewing and senior Janie Beck all won straight-set matches against Taylor, a feat that both Groff and Dewing duplicated Thursday.
Goshen was led by Groff’s dominating 6-0, 6-0 win at number three singles against Indiana Tech, followed closely by Dewing’s 6-1, 6-0 win at number four. Making a slight roster change, junior Amanda Weybright took care of business at number six singles, winning over Indiana Tech’s Jarmeike Taylro by a 6-1, 6-3 count.
Of course, such overpowering play at the bottom equates to talented players at the top, as Goshen won each singles’ match save for senior Diana Diaz’s 6-4, 6-3 loss at number one.
“Indiana Tech’s top two players were feisty and athletic,” Yoder said.
Diaz did help Yoder’s squad capture one of its eight total points on the day, however, teaming with classmate Laurelyn Foderaro at number one doubles for an 8-4 win (Foderaro took her number two singles match by a 7-6 (9-7), 6-0 score.
“Diana and Laurel had a bit more challenging match (than our other doubles positions) at number one,” Yoder said. “After going back and forth for the first five games, they found their rhythm and won four of the next five for a solid, 8-4 win.”
Goshen’s number two and three doubles tandems surrendered just one game between the flights. Yoder substituted Groff and freshman Chelsea Wampler for Beck and Weybright at number three doubles. Groff, Dewing, Weybright and senior Janie Beck remain as the Leafs’ undefeated players in singles play on the young season.
“We have this weekend off from competiton, but we will continue to practice hard and sharpen our games for next week,” Yoder said. “The entire (Mid-Central) Conference is so strong this year, we will need to bring our best for Tuesday’s match.”
Goshen will next travel to MCC rival Grace College on Tuesday. Match time is set for 3:30 p.m.
Singles:
#1 Marcela Bosch (IT) def. Diana Diaz (G): 6-4, 6-3
#2 Laurelyn Foderaro (G) def. Ashley Cooper (IT): 7-6 (9-7), 6-0
#3 Rachel Lanctot (G) def. Courtney Mardin (IT): 6-2, 3-6, 6-0
#4 Hannah Groff (G) Kassie Barroquillo (IT): 6-0, 6-0
#5 Alyssa Dewing (G) def. Carolyn Thompson (IT): 6-1, 6-0
#6 Amanda Weybright (G) def. Jarmeike Taylor (IT): 6-1, 6-3
Doubles:
#1 Diaz/Foderaro (G) def. Bosch/Cooper (IT): 8-4
#2 Lanctot/Dewing (G) def. Mardin/Barroquillo (IT): 8-1
#3 Groff/Wampler (G) def. Andrew/Cassell (IT): 8-0
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Freshman Alyssa Dewing