Belles defeat Crusaders in season ender
By KATIE McVOY
Assistant Sports Editor
The Saint Mary's tennis team ended the regular season on a high note, defeating Division I opponent Valparaiso University by a count of 9-0. The Belles wrapped up this match in just about three hours, handily defeating Valpo.
"It was really an in-and-out day," said freshman Lindsay Mollan.
The Belles started their regular line-up, with the exception of the regular doubles team. Coach Dee Stevenson played Mollan and Trisha Jones instead of Victoria Cox and Elisa Ryan. The move proved to be a good one, helping the Belles surge to a big win.
After being behind early in the match, Mollan and Jones came back to win 8-6 in an eight-game pro-set.
All three doubles teams played eight-game pro-sets. The first doubles team of Katie Vales and Annie Knish controlled their set and took a commanding lead before winning the set 8-2. The second doubles team of Becky Kremer and Natalie Cook also had a strong match, winning 8-5. The singles players were just as successful. Vales, Cook, Kremer, Knish, Mollan and Jones, who play first through sixth singles respectively, all won their matches in straight sets.
"Everyone played great," Mollan said. "We were all more focused coming out. It was our last match before conference, so we all wanted to finish the season on a good note."
The Belles did just that, ringing out the season with a 17-5 record, along with a 5-2 in MIAA play.
Following Monday's loss to Wheaton and the fact that they were not invited to the Midwest Invitational, the Belles were glad to have some practice and get back on track.
"It kind of put a damper on things for awhile," Mollan said. "But we bounced back. We had a good practice Tuesday, and that helped."
Saint Mary's has fared well against upper level Division I competition.
They faced Bucknell University during their trip over spring break and were triumphant in that match as well. The Belles now have a week and a half off to get ready for the conference tournament at Albion that starts on May 5. The Belles are looking to focus on particulars this week at practice.
"This week we'll be fine tuning everything and getting ready for conference," Mollan said.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, April 27, 2000
