No. 14 Irish knock off 16th-ranked William and Mary
By KEVIN BERCHOU
Sports Writer
The 14th ranked Notre Dame women's tennis team continued its meteoric ascent to the top of the national rankings with an impressive 6-3 victory over the No. 16 Tribe of William and Mary.
The Irish took four of six singles matches and won two of the three doubles matches contested in winning their second match over the Tribe this season. In a much-anticipated match that was the first for the Irish against a ranked opponent in more than a month, the Notre Dame women left it all out on the court.
After an uncharacteristic No. 1 singles loss by team leader Michelle Dasso, the Notre Dame supporting cast stepped up in a big way to carry the day. Dasso dominated her first set, scoring an easy 6-0 victory, before faltering later in the match. The Tribe's 34th ranked Carlijn Buis stormed back to upset Dasso winning the last two sets 6-4, 6-3.
With their leader failing to provide the usual quick strike point, the rest of the Notre Dame women were forced to raise their level of play.
Sophomore standout Becky Varnum did just that as she netted brilliant come from behind decision over 53rd ranked Delphine Troch. Varnum dropped the opening set but rallied to capture the next two, evening the score at one apiece.
After senior Kelly Zalinksi failed in her bid to tie Jennifer Hall for the most career singles victories, the Irish found themselves in a 2-0 hole.
Down 2-1 the Irish dug deep. Nina Vaughan, Lindsey Green, and Katie Cunha all won in straight sets to put the Irish on top by a 4-2 count. That decisive margin meant the Irish would need to win just one of three doubles matches to secure victory.
Dasso and Varnum left little doubt as to the outcome of the match, as they got the needed win right away. The pair trounced William and Mary's top pairing of Buis and Troch 8-5. The tandem of senior Sarah Scaringe and Katie Cunha added a point with a win at No. 3 doubles. William and Mary saved face with defeat of Green and Zalinski at No. 2 doubles.
The win was a crucial one for the Notre Dame women as they look forward to greener pastures that lie ahead. The squad's high level of play of late has left many excited about their chances of making a run in the forthcoming NCAA Championships.
The road to those same championships resumes right away as the Irish return home to battle the Hoosiers of Indiana on Tuesday.
The Irish will be looking to capture their fifth consecutive win over their state rivals, who are off to a solid 10-7 start.
Indiana is led by junior Jessica Anderson, a tremendous singles player who has amassed a sound 20-9 record on the current campaign. Kelly Blanch will take to the court at No. 2 singles and will likely provide Becky Varnum with a stern test.
While Indiana does boast some solid singles talent, they are indeed top heavy. Notre Dame will no doubt sport the deeper singles arsenal and should have an edge as the singles matches progress.
Indiana's top doubles tandem is a pairing of its top two singles player. The coupling of Anderson and Blanch is ranked 32nd nationally.
While the Hoosiers have dropped their last four meetings with the Irish, they lead the all-time series by a count of 9-4.
All Sports Stories for Monday, April 10, 2000
