Leathernecks defeated by North Dakota and Northern Iowa

WATERLOO, Iowa - The Western Illinois women's tennis team fell to North Dakota, 7-0, Saturday, and was defeated by Northern Iowa, 6-1, Sunday at the Black Hawk Tennis Club in Waterloo, Iowa.

Against the Fighting Sioux, Marcela Brandao and Yana Meinert teamed up at No. 1 doubles to capture the Fighting Leathernecks' only set, 8-6. North Dakota won the doubles point as Western's double pairs of Kate Kennedy and Jill Furlong and Stephanie Baumer and Claire Griffin, each lost 8-4 battles.

In singles play, Brandao fell in the No. 1 spot to North Dakota's Katie Callison by scores of 7-5 and 6-4. Kennedy was defeated by Chelsey Galipeau, 6-4, in both sets at the No. 5 singles flight.

“This was a pretty even match that just didn't go our way,” Western Illinois head coach Michael Hunt said. “North Dakota fought harder and scrapped for every single point. We need to do a better job of closing out in doubles and we need to get some fire in us.”

Sunday, Brandao and Meinert repeated as the only Leatherneck duo to win in doubles play, taking No. 1 doubles, 8-7 (6). Kennedy and Griffin came close at No. 3 doubles, but fell 8-4 to Jessica Kunzelmann and Stefannia Sampaio.

“Today was a much better effort,” Hunt said. “We came out a little more relaxed in the doubles and played well. Kate and Claire were down just one break at 5-4 and just couldn't get it back. Yana and Marcela continued to play aggressive doubles and it paid off.”

Meinert went on to defeat Sampaio at No. 5 singles, 6-2, in both sets, as Western's lone victory in singles play. Brandao put up a fight to Northern Iowa's Phoebe Walker in No. 1 singles, but fell 6-3 in both sets. Furlong and Baumer played No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, falling 6-2 and 6-4. Kennedy fell 6-2 and 6-0 at No. 4 singles. Griffin rounded out singles play, falling 6-4 and 6-2 at the No. 6 position.

“I was pleased with our play in singles too. We were in every single match, including Kate's, even though the score doesn't reflect it. Just one break here or there and we're in the middle of a 4-3 dogfight. Give Northern Iowa credit - they were more relaxed and poised on the critical points,” Hunt said. “I was impressed with Claire (Griffin) today. She hit the ball very cleanly and was moving well. She just needs more experience with all of the different situations a match throws at you. But she's coming along nicely.”

The loss was the fifth-straight for the Leathernecks in spring play. Western Illinois will play three-straight matches beginning Friday, Feb. 19 at Saint Louis at 4 p.m. The team then travels to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville for a 9 a.m. match, Saturday, before facing UM-Saint Louis in Elsah, Ill., Sunday at 10 a.m.

“Even with two more losses this weekend, I think the team is starting to feel a little bit better about where we are headed. We still have a long way to go with our improvement and the season is getting shorter each week. So, we need to keep bringing more intensity and effort to our practices and conditioning sessions,” Hunt said.

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Players Mentioned

Jill Furlong: PLAYER; 5' 6"; Freshman

Kate Kennedy: PLAYER; 5' 4"; Junior

Yana Meinert: PLAYER; 5' 9"; Senior

Stephanie Baumer: PLAYER; 5' 10"; Senior

Claire Griffin: PLAYER; 5' 6"; Sophomore

Marcela Brandao: PLAYER; 5' 8"; Redshirt

Players Mentioned

Jill Furlong
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: PLAYER

Kate Kennedy
: 5' 4"; Junior
: PLAYER

Yana Meinert
: 5' 9"; Senior
: PLAYER

Stephanie Baumer
: 5' 10"; Senior
: PLAYER

Claire Griffin
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: PLAYER

Marcela Brandao
: 5' 8"; Redshirt
: PLAYER