Elsah, Illinois--The Principia Women's Tennis Team start the 2015 season with wins over Missouri Baptist University and Stephens College. All ten members of the women's team played in the matches today and they all have a winning record, individually and as a team to start the new season.
In the tri-match played at Principia's indoor Hexberg Courts, Principia won against Missouri Baptist by sweeping the doubles and winning the first three singles matches. This match was played to decision. At both first and second doubles the teams were down and came back to win 9-7. At #1 doubles,
Hanne Andersen and
Kelly Adams were down 7-2 and changed strategy to play both back at the start of each point. They were nervy, aggressive, and stalked each ball to upset their opponent's rhythm and confidence. They won the next seven games to take the match. At #2 doubles,
Caitlin Carney and
Lily Richards fell behind 5-2 before they cut down on unforced errors, and began to play scrappy, consistent, and forcing tennis.
Nathalie DeLoach and
Gracie Buchanan, at #3 doubles, played aggressively at net and overtook their opponents 8-3.
Principia won the first three singles matches by playing forcing tennis and moving their opponents around the court.
Hanne Andersen, at #1 singles, played an attacking game from the baseline running around her backhand to hit strong forehands to her opponent's backhand, forcing errors or short returns which she then put away.
Kelly Adams, #2 singles, was consistent in her singles and dominated play with her strong deep baseline shots.
Lena Carlson at #3 singles, used her heavy topspin strokes to move her opponent into making errors. All the scores for the Missouri Baptist match are below along with the scores from the Stephens match.
In the Stephens match, Principia again swept the doubles and went onto win all of the singles as well. At #1 singles
Hanne Andersen was down 5-2 in the first set because of a slew of errors on her part trying to force play. At that stage she settled down her strokes and started to play consistent yet aggressive tennis. She won 11 of the next 12 games, playing inspired tennis. Her final score was 7-5, 6-1.
Caitlin Carney, at #4 singles won the first set 6-4 against a steady opponent but was down 3-0 in the second set before she settled down and played consistently to win the next 6 games.
Lily Richards, #5 singles, and Belle Abbott, #6 singles, won their matches convincingly.
The Principia Women's tennis team will compete against Greenville College in a scrimmage on Saturday, February 21st. Come out and support the team. Yay, Women's Tennis!
Principia College vs Missouri Baptist University
Principia vs Stephens College
