If one were to poll a good number of John Carroll women's tennis alumni, they would be more than happy to know recently hired head coach Shaun Keenan picked up his first win at Ohio Northern.

During the first decade of the 21st century, either John Carroll and Ohio Northern captured six of the ten Ohio Athletic Conference toiurnament titles, and often had to beat the other to claim the prize. 

Thanks to the inspired play by a squad probably unaware of the history between the two rivals, John Carroll edged the host Polar Beard, 5-4, Saturday afternoon in Ada.

Box Score

In doubles play, Ohio Northern started well by winning both the #1 and #2 matches by a comfortbale margin. 

But the sticking point proved to be at #3 doubles, were John Carroll freshman Emily Gorndt (Haddonfield, NJ, Haddonfield) and sophomore Deanna Bouchahine (Cleveland, OH, Normandy) came through with a very important 9-8 win.

The Blue Streaks needed to win at least four singles matches to claim the win, and that was exactly what took place. Seniors Anna Navatsyk (Chardon, OH, Chardon) at two singles and Amy Marchlen (Pittsburgh, PA, Mt. Lebanon) at three singles both won in their regular spots in the line-up in straight sets.

The surprises came in the lower end of the flights. Gorndt won her first career #5 singles match by a 6-4 6-1 score and sophomore Allison Mora (Mayfield Heights, OH, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) won just her third career singles match at any spot when she rolled to a 6-2 6-4 at #6 singles.

The victory puts John Carroll's record at 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the OAC, while Ohio Northern drops to 2-6 overall and 0-1 in league play.