WATERLOO, Iowa – The Western Illinois Women's Tennis team fell to future Summit League foe South Dakota, 7-0, on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Black Hawk Tennis Club.
The Fighting Leathernecks (1-3) fell in each of the six singles matches but fared much better in doubles play, taking one of three doubles matches from the Coyotes (5-1).
"In singles we tried hard, that wasn't the issue," said head coach Chris Kane. "The issue is that we
gave away too many free points where we just missed without any real
pressure from the opponent. When you do that there's no margin for
error, and you must play perfectly. When we learn to hit real topspin on
our forehands and backhands, and don't double-fault when serving, the
results will improve."
In singles competition, Marcela Brandao was defeated in straight sets (6-4, 6-1) at the No. 1 spot while Jill Furlong fell in the No. 2 position (6-2, 6-4).
Amy Unzicker won the first set of her matchup at the No. 3 spot before ultimately falling in three sets (3-6, 6-2, 7-5). Claire Griffin dropped her match at the No. 4 position (6-2, 6-1).
Melissa Kaufmann (6-2, 6-0) and Madison Zimmerman (6-0, 6-0) fell in straight sets at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots, respectively.
In doubles competition the team of Brandao/Furlong defeated South Dakota's team of Veronika Makashov/Shadi Soleymani (8-2) in the No. 1 spot.
The team of Griffin/Unzicker led twice at the No. 2 spot before fading in an 8-6 loss. Western's team of Kaufmann/Kara Chicoine also dropped their match at the No. 3 spot (8-0).
"The doubles point was important today," said Kane.
"It was a great momentum builder for the winner. We won big at No. 1
doubles, and lost at No. 3 doubles so it came down to No. 2 doubles. We
were up 5-2, and 6-5, but lost 8-6. Though the doubles point is only one
of the four points necessary to win the team match, we can't be giving away
that doubles point when we have a chance to win it."
Western Illinois will return to action tomorrow when it faces the Panthers of UNI at 10 a.m. in Waterloo. The Leathernecks will take a week off before heading to Madison, Wis. for matches against Wisconsin and Milwaukee.
