Win streak ends in loss to Tribe
JOE LINDSLEY
Sports Writer
The Irish extended their home wining streak Saturday to three matches as they defeated Iowa 4-3, but No. 13 William and Mary put that streak to an end Sunday with their 4-3 win over the 27th-ranked Irish.
The Irish have only two more home contests on their schedule, and both of those arrive this week.
Against the Tribe Sunday, Notre Dame started off promising as the Irish pulled out to a 2-0 lead.
The Tribe then took the next two singles matches to even out the score and ultimately prevented the upset, as the Irish dropped to 8-7 on the season.
Junior Alicia Salas and freshman Lauren Connelly helped the Irish begin the morning match ahead as they trounced Megan Muth and Lena Sherbakov, 8-2. Then junior Caylan Leslie and freshman Jennifer Smith registered a point-clinching doubles win over Kari Olsen and Lingda Yang.
With Leslie's upset of No. 26 Candice Fuchs, it looked like the day was going to end in favor of the Irish. Leslie, ranked 51st, won at the No. 1 flight 6-3, 6-1.
The Tribe's Amy Wei, ranked 114th nationally, initiated the William and Mary rally as she successfully fought Lauren Connelly to win 7-6 (7-4), 6-0. Wei's teammate, Kate Boomershine, beat Irish senior Katie Cunha 7-5, 6-3.
Muth, ranked 82nd nationally, then put her team ahead and within a point of victory after she rallied in three sets to defeat No. 65 Salas 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
But sophomore Sarah Jane Connelly tried to save the match for Notre Dame, as she won her fourth match in a row. Connelly defeated William and Mary's Sherbakov, 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1.
Freshman Kristina Stastny fought in three sets to attempt to give the Irish win, but Nina Kamp defeated her, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Stastny had clinched the win for the Irish Friday against Iowa.
The Irish next two matches will be their last home meetings for the season.
Michigan travels to Notre Dame Tuesday, and Purdue will follow on Wednesday.
All Sports Stories for Monday, March 24, 2003
