LCSC women's tennis team edges Mobile 5-4 at nationals
MOBILE, Ala. – It wasn’t by much, but the Lewis-Clark State College women’s tennis team had enough to get past tournament co-host the University of Mobile 5-4 in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship on Tuesday.
The Warriors split 3-3 in singles matches against Mobile but was able to gain the upper hand in doubles.
“We won a pivotal match at No. 3 doubles,” said LCSC head coach Kai Fong. “That was the key match—they had their No. 1 singles player playing at No. 3 doubles, but our players pulled it out.’
After narrowly losing the No. 1 doubles match 9-7, Dorothy Chong and Samantha Teigen cruised to give LCSC a 8-0 win at No. 2, and Megan Smedley and Chelsea Gay fought to a 9-7 win at No. 3.
Leading 2-1 after doubles, the Warriors were able to stick to their game plan the rest of the way.
“The key for us is getting wins at doubles and then getting wins at the bottom of our lineup,” said Fong. “We have a pretty deep lineup from No. 4 to No. 6 and that’s where we got our points.”
Facing formidable opponents, LCSC contended with but fell in the top-three singles matches, however, it was able to rebound and nearly blanked the Lady Rams at Nos. 4-6. Megan Smedley, playing at No. 4, won her match a 6-0, 6-0; Elaine Lee won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5; and Barb Sneckner won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 6.
With the win the Warriors advance to the second round for the second straight year and will play second-seeded Fresno Pacific University. Fresno Pacific was among the eight top-ranked teams which received buys in the first round. The Warriors and Sunbirds will square-off on Wednesday at 7 a.m., pacific time.
Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) def. Mobile (Ala.), 5-4
Singles:
No. 1 – Claudia Borges (UM) def. Katharina Marcela (LCSC), 6-2, 7-5
No. 2 – Zelie Pfeiffer (UM) def. Dorothy Chong (LCSC), 7-6, 6-1
No. 3 – Rachel Hartley (UM) def. Clara Schultz (LCSC), 6-4, 6-1
No. 4 – Megan Smedley (LCSC) def. Kari Williams (UM), 6-0, 6-0
No. 5 – Elaine Lee (LCSC) def. Nancy Machen (UM), 6-0, 6-0
No. 6 – Barb Sneckner (LCSC) def. Jordin Wiggins (UM), 6-1, 6-0
Doubles:
No. 1 – Rachel Hartley / Zelie Pfeiffer (UM) def. Katharina Marsela / Ciara Schultz (LCSC), 9-7
No. 2 – Dorothy Chong / Samantha Teigen (LCSC) def. Emily Jennings / Kari Williams (UM), 8-0
No. 3 – Megan Smedley / Chelsea Gay (LCSC) def. Claudia Borges / Nancy Machen (UM), 9-7
