Knish secures victory for Saint Mary's over Albion College
KATIE McVOY
Assistant Sports Editor
The Saint Mary's tennis team upped its league record to 5-2 and broke its three-game losing streak as it defeated Albion College 6-3 Tuesday.
The highlight of Tuesday's match was Annie Knish's game clinching singles match that lasted almost three hours. Knish opened the first set of her No. 3 singles match with a three-point lead, convincing most of the onlookers that it would be an easy match. The match proved to be quite the contrary.
"She [my opponent] just woke up and started to run me around," Knish said. "I was feeding her the same kind of ball the whole time."
Knish's opponent came back and tied the first set at five, and then again at six. Forced to play a tiebreaker, Knish came through winning the first set 7-6.
The second set was neck and neck from the opening serve. Knish dropped the set 6-7, forcing a third set. An anxious crowd looked on as Knish faced her opponent a final time. After nearly three hours of play Knish returned her opponent's hit and won the set 7-5, winning the match.
"I tried to change up the game to change the pace," Knish said. "I used different hits, but it was frustrating. It was really a game of strength of mind."
Knish wasn't the only Belle to play a long match. No. 1 singles player Katie Vales also went three sets in her match. She also came out the victor.
Vales, who seemed to be unable to control the first set, lost her first set 6-2. She didn't let the first set tell the story. She took control of the game and came back to win the second and third sets 6-2 each, claiming the win for Saint Mary's.
Knish and Vales didn't fair quite as well in doubles following Vales' exhausting singles run. Teamed for No. 1 doubles, the women dropped their match in three sets. Knish and Vales came out strong, with a 4-1 lead in
the first set. They won the first set, but dropped the next two sets 6-0 and 6-3.
Becky Kremer dominated her opponent in No. 4 singles, defeating her 6-1 in both sets. The No. 2 doubles team, composed of Kremer and Cook came out strong and took a solid win in two sets. The women took an early lead and didn't let go, winning the sets 6-1.
Natalie Cook lost a close match playing No. 2 singles. She dropped both sets to her opponent 7-5.
The Belles' other loss came from freshman No. 5 singles player Lindsay Mollan, who dropped her match in two sets.
Due to an injury, Albion was unable to field a complete team and Saint Mary's won No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles by default.
"I knew it was going to be a close match," head coach Dee Stevenson said. "Albion was second in conference last year, but Annie's game clinched the match."
The Belles have boosted their record to 16-4 overall, while Albion has dropped to 7-9. The Belles will have the weekend off before facing Wheaton College on Monday.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, April 19, 2000
