ELSAH, IL – The Principia Women's Tennis team hosted two tough opponents in the Truman State Bulldogs (NCAA Division II) and the Missouri Baptist Spartans (NAIA) for a home tri match on Saturday. All the matches were fiercely competitive, but the Panthers came ready to fight. In the end, Principia came away with two impressive, close victories over both the Bulldogs and Spartans.
In the morning match against D2 Truman, the Panthers won two of three doubles. Principia's #1 and #2 doubles both claimed 8-3 victories. The Panthers' third doubles team held off 4 match points, the last being an opportunity to tie the match at 7. After a strong rally, the opponents hit a high-bouncing, looping ball that found the back fence before our player could get their racquets on it.
The Panthers had the lead after the doubles 2-1 and split the remaining 6 singles matches to earn a big 5-4 victory. Bissola Lassissi at #1 singles, Saray Cisneros at #2 singles, and Veronica Volkart at #4 singles were each superb in their wins as they constructed strong points with their ground strokes and forced their opponents into errors. Ruth Hummell dropped her first set only earning a game, but she fought back in the second set with steady play and determination to force the second set to a 7-5 loss.
In the afternoon match, the Panthers faced the Spartans, and the match started with some very competitive doubles play. #1 doubles went to a tiebreaker and with both teams hitting strong volleys and serves. The Spartans pulled ahead with an early lead, and Principia could not close the gap. At #2 doubles, Cisneros and Kimbeley Peterson were down and struggling but fought to get back in the match. They were within one point of tying the match at 7, but the other team forced an error to earn the win.
The Spartans were only able to bring 5 players, so a walkover at #3 doubles and #6 singles meant the Panthers needed to win at least 3 singles matches for the team victory. At #3 singles, Kelsie Huss took her match to the third set tie-breaker, which she was able to win 10-7 with her steady play. At #1, Lassissi had a close first set win, and then she turned up the heat to close out her match 6-2. Cisneros and Peterson both cruised to decisive victories at #2 and #5 as the Panthers took the overall 6-3 win.
Up Next: The Panthers will travel to Hilton Head, SC for spring break to get some outdoor practice before they open up their conference season. They will play three matches next week beginning on Monday.
