The 3-0 lead after doubles is something we strive to get in every match. It can really help you take the upper hand in the match, and it certainly helped our women on Friday. UW-Eau Claire was not going to go off into the night quitely though. Sydney Divelbiss started off her match playing 3 of the longest games I have ever seen. After those 3 games her match looked like it would go until 2 am, but Sydney really stepped up her play and didn't lose a game the rest of the match. Alexandra Bayliss's match was an up and down affair. Alexandra took the first set 6-1. All the games were tough, but Alexandra kept coming up with the shots she needed at the right time. In the second set though Katie Gillman from Eau Claire took advantage of a lull in Alexandra's game to win the second set 6-0. After that quick second set Alexandra found her fire again and took the third set 6-0. I have to say that this was one of the weirdest scores I've ever seen in a match 6-1, 0-6, 6-0. Three singles was a battle from the first game. Jackie Vitale's opponent from Eau Claire was very consistent and made Jackie work for every point she got. Jackie came up with those shots in the first set winning 6-2, but her opponenet raised her game to win the second set 6-3. That forced a decisive third set tiebreaker, and Jackie regained her form from the first set to win 10-4. At 4 singles Megan Kasten did not start off with the strongest play in her match and found herself down 3-0 early. After that though she found her stride and only lose 2 games the rest of the match to win 6-4, 6-1. At 5 singles Lauren Aguilar was in control from the beginning winning 6-3, 6-1. Six singles featured a newcomer to the Lady 'Hawks, Erika Williams. Erika is a freshman from Burnsville, MN and showed her mental toughness and racket skills in 5 tough preseason challenge matches to win the number 6 singles spot. On Friday though Erika came up against a wall. Her opponent just never missed and could play all over the court. After dropping the first set 1-6 Erika fought hard in the second set keeping it close throughout only to drop a tight second set 4-6. Freshman Ashley Miller, and Junior Hillary Franzen also came up with exhibition singles victories along with Abby Day and Jess Vitale who came up with a great win at 4 doubles.
This 8-1 win for the Lady 'Hawks was a terrific victory. It was great to see our team come out with such fight and energy. We lost two great players from last year, Kalla Schaefer and Annie Smith, and it was great to see our players step up and fill those voids. Here are some pictures from the match as always I would like to thank Liz Bayliss from her great photographs.
On Saturday the Lady 'Hawks welcomed 7 other teams to the UWW courts for the Warhawk invite. This is a great event that gets our players a lot of match experience early in the season. For the invite teams are allowed to play players in either singles or doubles draws. There are 3 draws for singles and 3 draws for doubles so teams have to utilize a total of 9 players. Sydney Divelbiss played the 1 singles bracket for the Lady 'Hawks and she played great throughout the tournament to win her bracket. Alexandra Bayliss played many tough opponents in her bracket as well, but she proved to be too tough and won her bracket as well. Erika Williams played in the 3 singles bracket, and came back from her loss on Friday night to come up with 3 wins against quality opponents to win her bracket.
In doubles Megan Kasten and Jackie Vitale played in the tough 1 doubles bracket. After cruising in their first round they played a tough 1 doubles team from UW-Eau Claire. The teams split the first two sets, but Eau Claire proved to be too tough and took the decisive third set tiebreaker. Megan and Jackie then bounced back to win the third place match. At 2 doubles Lauren Aguilar and Kelly Foster played strong in their first two rounds, but came up against a tough team from UW-La Crosse in the final. The match was back and forth the whole time, but La Crosse ended up winning the bracket. At 3 doubles Abby Day and Jess Vitale played great throughout the tournament and took the 3 doubles bracket.
The great results from all of the ladies helped to secure the team victory for the Invite. This is the 8th consecutive time the Lady 'Hawks have won the Warhawk Invite. For individual match results click here Here are some pictures from Saturday.
Next up for the Lady 'Hawks are two dual matches against Midwest conference opponents, Beloit College and Lake Forest College, in Lake Forest, IL on Sept. 9th. I hope to see all you super fans there on Sunday.
No comments:
Post a Comment