Belles hope to put recent losses behind and reclaim conference lead
By LISA REIJULA
Sports Writer
The Saint Mary's tennis team, the defending MIAA conference champions, has already dropped two conference matches this season. However, the Belles will get a chance to rebound and contend for the conference lead this week.
"This week's matches are really important," captain Kaitlin Cutler said. "Some teams have only played two conference matches. There isn't one dominant team this year, but there are four teams that are really even."
First up for the Belles is a road match at Hope College today. The Flying Dutch are 9-7 this season and 3-2 in the MIAA. Like Saint Mary's, Hope defeated Olivet, Alma and Adrian in 9-0 shutouts.
Hope's conference losses came at the hands of Calvin College and Albion College, by scores of 6-3 and 8-1, respectively. The Flying Dutch stand third overall in the MIAA.
"Hope is always a really strong team," Cutler said. "You know to expect a tough match when you play them. They also have a new freshman at No. 1 singles."
The Belles next face Calvin at home on Wednesday. Calvin is 5-4 for the spring season and 1-1 in conference. The squad won against Hope, but fell to Kalamazoo in a 7-2 contest. Calvin stands fifth in the MIAA overall.
"The match against Calvin is the same situation as Hope," Cutler said. "We have to be prepared to come in and fight for the match."
Saint Mary's holds a 11-5 overall record and is even in the MIAA at 2-2. The Belles are fourth in conference play behind Hope. At last weekend's competitive Midwest Regional Invite, Saint Mary's had a respectable showing, with close losses to Kenyon and Luther, and a solid victory over Carleton College.
"We're happy with how we did [last weekend] and we're looking forward to the two matches this week," Cutler said. "We have to win these."
The Belles face Hope away on April 15 at 3 p.m. On April 16, Saint Mary's returns home for a match against Calvin College at 3 p.m.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, April 15, 2003
