Tennis competes in Puerto Rico
The Minnesota State women’s tennis team took their talents to sunny beach resort Palmas Del Mar located in Humacao, Puerto Rico March 6-10. The Mavericks challenged three non-conference teams and soaked up some sun.
First on the opponent list was Swarthmore College, a private Pennsylvania institution, at 3 p.m. March 6. The Mavs were focused and played tough to inch out the win 5-4.
The Sunday afternoon began with three doubles matches. The duo comprised of junior Melissa Masburn and freshman Erin Streeter who beat out the Garnets 2-1 in the number one doubles match of the day.
Next on the agenda for MSU came a doubles match for sophomore Lisa Dobbelaere and junior Abby Schmidt. The number three-ranked team beat Swarthmore by a close score of 9-8(7-5).
Streeter, Dobbelaere and sophomore Killian Doran achieved the close out victory against Swarthmore through three single-match victories.
Tuesday, March 8 the Mavericks faced their next opponent who hailed from Greenville, North Carolina, the East Carolina University Pirates at 1 p.m.
ECU won all three singles matches early in the afternoon but the Mavericks still had six single matches to regain the lead.
However, the Pirates were too much to handle for MSU. Dobbelaere and Schmidt lost in a hard fought doubles battle and no Mavericks could break through during the singles matches. MSU added another L to their record as they were defeated in all nine matches and lost 0-9 on the day.
The last opponent for MSU’s spring break trip was Sacred Heart University. SHU, which is a private university located in Connecticut, came into the match-up 3-6 on the season but proved to be too tough for the Mavericks to conquer.
Senior Sarah McCann and Doran fell to the No. 2 doubles team for the Pioneers 2-6. Then Sacred Heart swept all six singles matches just like East Carolina. Streeter and Washburn played the number one and two Sacred Heart players but were unable to pull out a win. The Mavericks lost their last match of the week 0-9.
With the one win against Swarthmore and two losses the Purple and Gold’s overall record falls to an even 6-6 on the season.
MSU started their regular season with a victory at the end of January with Southwest Minnesota State Jan. 31. Other NSIC conference wins on the season for the Mavericks have come against the University of Sioux Falls, Winona State University and the University of Mary.
To close out NSIC play the Purple and Gold will face their last four opponents in early April. MSU takes on St. Cloud April 2 in Duluth, the University of Minnesota, Duluth April 3 in Duluth, Bemidji State University April 9 in Owatonna and the University of Minnesota, Crookston April 10 in St. Peter.
The NSIC tournament will start April 22 and end April 24 with times and opponents to be determined.
The Mavericks are back in Minnesota and will face Gustavus Adolphus College for their next match in St. Peter at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 19.