Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 |
Box Score 3 John Carroll took some lumps during its week in Florida, playing Division I, Division II and NAIA schools, several of whom were ranked either regionally or nationally.
But when it mattered most -- a showdown against a regionally ranked Division III opponent -- the Blue Streaks stepped up and delivered.
A thrilling 5-4 win over Wheaton (IL) College at the USTA Center in Orlando capped off a competitive week of tennis. JCu was ranked #18 and Wheaton #13 in the most recent ITA/Oracle Division III Central region rankings.
The Blue Streaks trailed 2-1 after doubles but came through with four singles wins, three of which went to a third set tiebreaker. Lauren O'Malley dispatched of her opponent at #1 singles in straight sets but Madisyn Rini, Nicolette Bourlas and Molly Traverso all survived by going the distance. At #2 singles, Rini won 6-1 in the first set but dropped the second 5-7. In the ten-point breaker, Rini outlasted Miranda Kay, 10-8.
Bourlas had to save match point in her duel at #3 singles. She beat Kirstie White 6-3 in set one but fell 6-2 in set two. Like Rini, Bourlas prevailed 10-8.
Traverso won the first set 6-1 at #6 singles against Claire Browning but then had the tables turned in the second set, 6-2. Traverso regrouped and won 10-5 in the tiebreak.
Wheaton had won 11 consecutive matches prior to losing to John Carroll.
Earlier Friday, JCU fell to Division II Saginaw Valley State, ranked #10 in its region, by an 8-1 score. O'NMalley provided the lone win at #1 singles. O'Malley is now 39-2 in her career, including 27-0 as the #1 singles player for the Blue Streaks.
On Thursday, JCU fell to Minnesota State-Moorhead, 5-4. The Blue Streaks won two doubles matches against the Division II school as Nicolette Bourlas and Katherine Devine won at #1 and Natalie Bourlas and Carlye Campagna won at #3. Only Campagna and Traverso could get wins in singles play at #4 and #6, respectively as MSU-Moorhead rallied for the win.
Box Scores: vs MSU-Moorhead / vs. Saginaw Valley State / vs. Wheaton
John Carroll is now 4-6 on the season.
