KOHLER, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's tennis team fell just shy of upending host Lakeland College in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play, this evening, Sept. 12.
The Sabres (1-6, 0-5 NACC), who are competing with just one returner and five newcomers, are improving a little bit each time out according to first-year Head Coach Marcus Wiegert. And the team nearly earned their first league victory of the season this evening.
Some improvements are noticeable, like the, 9-7, comeback win for the Sabres at #2 doubles. The tandem of Jenny Gapinski and Natalie Boyle found themselves down 3-0 in the single-set match before rallying back for the victory.
Both players would also win their singles match-ups as Gapinski took down Sarah Allman 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 in a third set tie-break at #3 singles.
Boyle would take her opponent with a little more ease, downing Nicole Dessloch in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3.
Samantha Austin would claim the third and final singles win for the Sabres, winning in straight sets, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1.
Austin #1 doubles partner, Melissa Spannbauer, nearly knocked off their Lakeland counterpart, but fell just short by a score of 8-5.
The win marked the first for the Muskies (1-3, 1-3 NACC) this season. The Sabres will return to the friendly confines of Buttermilk Creek Park tomorrow, Sept. 13, with hopes of snapping Edgewood College's 34-match unbeaten streak in conference play. First serve is at 10 a.m. followed by a non-conference match against Mt. Mary College at 2 p.m.
