<< Front page Sports March 19, 2004

Women’s tennis knock down Walsh

The Oberlin women’s tennis team played their best match of the season as the Yeowomen knocked off NAIA power Walsh University 6-3 on Saturday at the Heisman Fieldhouse to move their record to 5-1 in the conference on the season.

While the team only has one senior this year, Whitney Reichheld, she has led by example both on and off the courts and is also putting together a very impressive season, remaining undefeated at third singles. She isn’t just scraping by, she is destroying her opponents.

Her latest victory, a 6-0, 6-0 decision, helped Oberlin pull away from Walsh’s tough competition.

“It felt good to beat a good team,” first-year Bianca Barr said.

Oberlin started the match off in great fashion, winning two of three doubles matches. The only loss came at number one doubles where junior Ary Amerikaner and Barr struggled early and could not overcome their slow start.

Junior Jessica Hauser and sophomore Kate Lurain played their best match of the season and won an 8-4 decision at the number two doubles.

Third doubles also prevailed with an 8-5 victory that pushed the Yeowomen to a successful start of the match.

Highlighting singles play with their victories were Hauser and Reichheld. Both players have proven to be key components for this year’s team. Oberlin won singles points at three, four, five and six while dropping the one and two spots. Despite getting outplayed at the top two singles, Oberlin found a way to get it done with the bottom of the lineup.

On the season, Oberlin has a combined record of 29-7 in singles and 12-6 in doubles. Sophomore Lesley Farber has adjusted well to the switch from five to six singles with two consecutive victories. Amerikaner and Barr both boast 4-2 records at one and two singles.

Oberlin will next battle regionally — ranked Carnegie Mellon University on Friday at the Heisman Fieldhouse to close out match play before midterm examinations. Looking ahead, Oberlin opens Spring Break play with powerhouse Palm Beach Atlantic University on March 31 in Jacksonville, Florida.

The following day, Oberlin will battle Division I opponent Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia.

“I am excited to play a good team,” Barr said.


 
 
   

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