It was not so much that the John Carroll women's tennis team picked up its first Ohio Athletic Conference victory of the year Saturday afternoon over Otterbein University that was cause for celebration.

It was also about how it was achieved.

Four stirring comebacks -- one in doubles play and three in singles -- ignited a Blue Streak rally that resulted in a 5-4 win over the Cardinals in a league match staged at the Paramount Tennis Club in medina, Ohio.

Box Score




John Carroll fell behind 2-1 in doubles action, as all three matches were closely contested. JCU salvaged its lone point in the #3 doubles match, where Allison Mora (Mayfield Heights, OH, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin)and Deanna Bouchahine (Cleveland, OH, Normandy) rallied from deficits of 6-3 and 7-4 to pull out a 9-7 win.

In order to win the match, the Blue Streaks needed to take four of the six singles matches. Athena Pappis (Pittsburgh, PA, North Hills) aided the cause with a straight set win in the #4 match.

Losses at #1 and #3, however, put the Streaks' collective backs to the wall.

At one point, JCU trailed in all three of the remaining matches. But just as they had in doubles, Bouchanine and Mora both rallied from a set down to win their respective matches. Mora trailed 3-0 in the third set but came back to win the final six games.

That put the match squarely on the shoulders of the two players squaring off at #2 singles. Cassie Simmerlink trailed 3-1 in the third set, but came back with an inspired effort that netted her the final five games.

John Carroll picked up its first league victory and improved to 3-9 overall and 1-1 in the OAC. Otterbein fell to 7-6 overall and 0-1 in league play.