Belles look to earn wins with mental focus
By KATIE MCVOY
Associate Sports Editor
Today's tennis match doesn't have as much to do with serves and backhands as it does with mental focus and determination. Saint Mary's will be facing off against the Knights of Calvin in a battle that may foretell the results of the MIAA tournament.
"I think this match is going to determine a lot," team captain Annie Knish said. "This will tell us how well we're expected to do at Conference. Albion, Hope and Calvin are our toughest competitors at conference and we've already beaten Hope and Albion so we have one more to go."
The Knights of Calvin represent the last major hurdle for the Belles' aim at finishing first in regular season play in the MIAA. After a solid victory over the Hope Flying Dutch, Saint Mary's will be moving its focus to the Knights.
Last season the Belles tied with the Knights for a second place finish behind the Flying Dutch. Since the start of the season, Calvin has promised to be tough competition, but a recent loss to Albion may make the Knights less formidable opponents. Saint Mary's topped Albion 6-3 on April 4.
"It gives us a little more confidence, who we've beaten," Knish said. "But we can't go into the match being too cocky. We have to go in there and play our best and make sure we're getting all the points we need."
The starting Belles team had a day off on Sunday as the Saint Mary's B team had the opportunity to get some playing time. They will be back on the court today to face off against Calvin after time for mental preparation.
"A day off is important not only to rest physically but to rest mentally as well," Knish said. "Having so many matches is tiring."
Knish will face Calvin's Disselkoen, who hails from South Africa, in No. 1 singles and in No. 1 doubles when Knish teams up with Natalie Cook.
Disselkoen is one of four returning Calvin players that will be facing off against a strong Saint Mary's freshmen attack topped off with three returning players. Jeannie Knish, Kaitlin Cutler and Kris Spriggle will be stepping up again in No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 singles while Cook takes on No. 2 doubles and sophomore Elisa Ryan wraps up the team at No. 6 singles.
These six women, along with Trisha Jones, who will team up with Ryan at No. 3 doubles, spent Monday's practice getting mentally ready for today's match.
"It was a pretty low key practice just hitting and getting loose," Knish said. "At this point its not so much getting physically prepared but getting mentally prepared so we get the match started on the right foot."
Mental preparation teamed up with home court advantage will play a big role in a Saint Mary's victory. The Belles have played well at home. They are currently undefeated at Saint Mary's, including a victory over Division I Valaparaiso.
"I love playing at home having the home court advantage and a lot of parents come out and it's a relaxing environment," Knish said.
Action will get under way today at 3 p.m. at the tennis courts outside of Angela Athletic facility.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, April 10, 2001
