Box Score
Grantham, PA - The Messiah College women's tennis team held their 2012 home opener on Friday to Gettysburg College. The Bullets jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after doubles play and ran away with the match claiming all six singles matches and winning the match 9-0.
In doubles, Messiah's first team of
Erin Ipsen and
Sarah Brookhart played aggressively in the beginning of the match but a few shots hit array at inopportune times led to Gettysburg's top team of Isabelle Rodriguez and Kylle O'Sullivan jumping out to an early 4-0 lead. The Falcons conitnued to battle and were able to capture the next game behind smart net play and consistent deep lob shots. During the changeover Gettysburg was able to figure out Brookhart and Ipsen's attack and countered to take the final four games, winning the pro set 8-1.
Number two doubles consisting of
Ellen Harpold and
Katelyn Clark had a very similar story. The tandem was able to put together a string of excellent points but a few unforced errors at the wrong times caused Gettysburg to win the important points. Their match ended with the same fate as number one doubles, 8-1.
Jennifer Kitlan and
Michelle Curtis battled in a longer match at number three doubles. Facing Megan Kelly and Kelsey Boyce from the Bullets the Falcons were able to remain in the match most of the way through. Kitlan and Curtis' super consistent approach to the game helped them keep the score close throughout but a late surge by Kelly and Boyce led to an 8-3 Gettysburg win.
Singles play started next with similar results for Messiah.
Ipsen played at the top spot for Messiah and found points difficult to come by with Rodriguez using a relentless attack. Despite being in many close games and at the cusp of winning multiple points Ipsen dropped the match 6-0, 6-0.
Number three and number six singles had similar finishes for the Falcons. Clark and Curtis, playing three and six respectively, could not come out with victories for Messiah. Clark lost 6-1, 6-1 and Curtis lost 6-0, 6-1.
Number five singles was a back and forth match the entire first set. Harpold was hitting with ease and moving her opponent around the court for the Falcons. She trailed 3-2 in the first set and lead 40-love in her next service game. However, unforced errors combined with a few winners helped Charrisa Watkins of the Bullets battle back to take the game and evenetually the set 6-2. Watkins then flew through the second set 6-0 to give the Bullets a 7-0 lead in the match.
Kitlan gave Laura Habecker all she could handle at the number four singles spot. Back and forth points that lasted for many hits made this match a long one. Kitlan was able to use groundstrokes and volleys to keep Habecker off guard and win a few games. Unfortunately, the important games went to the Bullets and Kitlan fell 6-3, 6-4.
The most intense set was Brookhart's first set in her singles match at number two singles. She faced O'Sullivan from Gettysburg and took a very early lead. Brookhart served first and took her service game by holding her O'Sullivan at love. A back and forth first set led to each player winning one game, only to lose the next to their opponent. With Brookhart down 5-4 and possibly in a position to drop the set she brought her A-game and was able to tie the set at five games all. Again with Brookhart in the deciding game at 6-5 she had the chance to force the first set tiebreaker, but O'Sullivan found a way to pull it out taking the set 7-5. With all of the momentum in Gettysburg's favor, O'Sullivan raced through thte second set 6-0, completing the Bullets victory over the Falcons.
"We learned that we have a lot of things to improve on today, head Messiah tennis coach
Jon Arosell commented. "We made some errors at the wrong time and if we don't make those a lot of these matches could have turned out differently. I'm proud of our team and excited for our potential this season."
The Falcons next match is on Criste Courts on Monday, March 26th at 3:30 p.m. against Penn State Berks.
