Western Illinois women's tennis split in weekend competition

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's tennis team went 1-1 in weekend competition as it defeated South Dakota, 6-1, Saturday, but fell to Creighton, 7-0, Sunday.

"I'm proud of us for battling through numerous injuries and illnesses this weekend to get a win and to compete well with a good Creighton squad," Western Illinois head coach Michael Hunt said. "Literally every single member of our women's team is either sick or hurt. You might expect that at the end of the conference season, but it's definitely unusual for this time of the year. We're going to give them a couple of days off and see if we can't get some reasonably healthy athletes for later this week."

Senior Stephanie Baumer set the tone as she defeated Melanie Rockne 6-0 in both sets at No. 1 singles. Freshman Marcela Brandao took No. 2 singles with scores of 6-1 and 6-3. Jill Furlong, Yana Meinert and Kate Kennedy rounded out the singles lineup with victories in No. 4, 5 and 6 respectively.

The Fighting Leathernecks swept the doubles point as Meinert and Brandao teamed up for an 8-1 victory at No. 1 doubles, Baumer and Furlong took the No. 2 spot, 8-3, and Kennedy and Amy Unzicker won No. 3 doubles 8-7 (4) .

"I thought Yana Meinert continued to play solidly for us. She's having a good senior year for us," Hunt said. "Stephanie got a big win against South Dakota after having to be pulled before the Creighton singles. She needs a few more days to recover from her injuries. Jill (Furlong) and Marcela (Brandao) both battled through pretty significant illnesses to win."

Western was unable to earn a point the following day at Creighton as Furlong came closest to taking a singles flight at the No. 3 spot. Furlong was defeated by Kelsey Schmidt, 7-5 and 6-2. Brandao fell in No. 1 singles, 6-2 and 6-1, Unzicker fell at No. 2 singles, 6-2 and 6-4 and Meinert and Claire Griffin each fell 6-2 and 6-4 at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

"Again, I'm proud of us for hanging in there and not complaining about our issues," Hunt said. "We've won three out of four matches now and have a chance to battle for a few more this upcoming weekend. Hopefully, we can get well before then."

The Leathernecks play host to Wright State and Northern Illinois, Saturday, March 6, with the first match set for noon in Galesburg, Ill.

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Players Mentioned

Jill Furlong: PLAYER; 5' 6"; Freshman

Kate Kennedy: PLAYER; 5' 4"; Junior

Amy Unzicker: PLAYER; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Yana Meinert: PLAYER; 5' 9"; Senior

Stephanie Baumer: PLAYER; 5' 10"; Senior

Marcela Brandao: PLAYER; 5' 8"; Redshirt

Players Mentioned

Jill Furlong
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: PLAYER

Kate Kennedy
: 5' 4"; Junior
: PLAYER

Amy Unzicker
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: PLAYER

Yana Meinert
: 5' 9"; Senior
: PLAYER

Stephanie Baumer
: 5' 10"; Senior
: PLAYER

Marcela Brandao
: 5' 8"; Redshirt
: PLAYER