Box Score
Grantham, PA - The Messiah College women's tennis team defeated the Warriors of Lycoming College 7-2 on Thursday afternoon. The Falcons took 2-of-3 doubles matches and then went on to win all but one singles match on the way to victory.
Ellen Harpold and
Katelyn Clark cruised through their number two doubles match against Lycoming. The combination of Clark's consistent groundstrokes and Harpold's aggressive net play lead this doubles tandem to an 8-2 victory over the Warrior's.
At number one doubles
Erin Ipsen and
Sarah Brookhart found themselves in an early 3-0 hole but rallied to get back in the match. Down just 4-5 the Falcons top team had the opportunity to take control, but the Warriors held on to the lead and took the final three games to win the pro set 8-4.
The number three doubles match was one unusual match.
Jennifer Kitlan and
Michelle Curtis looked to be in complete control early. They dictated the pace of the game and were able to hit the shots that they wanted. As they match wore on the momentum slowly shifted to the Warriors third team and they began cutting down Messiah's lead.
With thre Falcons only needing one game to win the set the Warriors pulled off the comeback and tied Kitlan and Curtis at seven all. The teams split the next two games which forced a tiebreaker to decide the set.
Kitlan and Curtis played their best tennis in the tiebreaker and ran away with the tiebreaker 7-1 to win the pro set 9-8.
Sarah Brookhart won her number two singles match when the Lycoming player retired to give Brookhart the forfeit win.
Ipsen had a great battle at the top singles spot. After losing the first set 4-6, she flew through the second set winning 6-1. The match would be decided by a final set super tiebreaker and Ipsen would deliver. She made all the necessary shots when it mattered most to win the third set tiebreaker 10-8.
Katelyn Clark handled her Lycoming foe easily winning 6-2, 6-1.
At number four singles the Warriors picked up their second and final point of the match. Harpold played well for the Falcons in the beginning but lost her composure as the match progressed and ended up losing 6-4, 6-1.
Freshman Jen Kitlan continued her impressive rookie year with another dominant performance. This victory came in straight sets and she only allowed one game to her opponent winning her number five singles match6-1, 6-0.
Curtis, playing at number six singles, had a longer match but came out victorious in a 6-2, 6-1 decision.
The Falcons now move to 2-3 in the Commonwealth Conference and 6-8 overall.
Messiah's final match of the season is this Saturday against Albright College in Reading, PA at 10:00 a.m.
