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Tiger tennis team nets another win
9/19/2007
By MIKE KESSINGER
Hays Daily News
When Fort Hays State University women's tennis coach Brian Flax put together a fall schedule, he wanted it to consist mostly of NCAA Division II programs. Outside of Hastings (Neb.) College, an NAIA member, he got his wish.
On Tuesday, the team portion of the fall season came to an end against Newman University, and Flax had plenty to be pleased with. Not just with the Tigers' 8-1 win at the FHSU courts, but with the team's 5-1 mark. On Friday and Saturday, the Tigers played four former Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foes in the Denver area, and came away with just one loss.
"I really loaded up on my schedule this year," Flax said.
"It's all about playing those D-II schools, and to go out (to Colorado) and get three out of four was huge for us. Then today, was another D-II win for us."
The Tigers concluded their team portion of the fall schedule with a dominant performance against Newman. No. 1 singles player Rebekah Lynn was the Fort Hays member to take a loss as she was defeated by the Jets' Dixie Matzen, 6-3, 6-3. In the other five matches, no Tiger needed more than two sets to pick up a win.
"My serve was definitely struggling today," said senior Kris Marten, who defeated Megan Lowe in No. 4 singles, 6-1, 6-1. "I double faulted a lot more than I would like. I didn't really hit out as much as I would have liked, but other than that, I played consistent enough to win the match."
Marten teamed with sophomore Mary Kate McKee in No. 3 doubles to defeat Newman's Christa Lawlor and Megan Lowe, 8-4. Lynn and freshman Kat Alarcon defeated Kelly Rutherford and Emily Jones by the same score in No. 2 doubles.
Fort Hays had little trouble defeating Newman, but Flax still found plenty of inconsistencies. For the most part, he was just happy to pick up the win.
"We went out and got some big wins," Flax said. "Obviously the intensity wasn't here today like it was over the last weekend's matches. That's understandable. It's tough to get out of class and come here, but it was a nice win."
The lone senior, Marten has found herself in a little bit of a more leadership role this fall. With three newcomers she's taking it in stride. Junior Sam Islas and Alarcon were two new Tigers to play Tuesday.
"The new people have really stepped up," Marten said. "It's been an adjustment for them, but I think they've taken that role well. They've really played well, and they've set in perfect for the program."
Flax will take Marten, Islas, Lynn and junior Brette Baldwin to the ITA Regional that starts Friday in Maryville, Mo. The tournament will run three days, and conclude Sunday.
Sports reporter Mike Kessinger can be reached at (785) 628-1081, Ext. 127, or by e-mail at
mkessinger@dailynews.net.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| SB | 03/08 | Fort Lewis | W 5-4 |
| BB | 03/07 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 13-7 |
| BB | 03/06 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 16-4 |
| BB | 03/06 | No. 9 Emporia State | W 3-0 |
| MB | 03/05 | Emporia State | L 65-61 |
| BB | 03/05 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 10-3 |
| WB | 03/04 | No. 15 Emporia | L 72-66 |
| WB | 02/28 | No. 12 Emporia State | L 87-80 |
| MB | 02/28 | Emporia State | W 94-47 |
| SB | 02/28 | Quincy | L 6-0 |
| SB | 02/27 | Mo Southern | W 9-3 |
| SB | 02/27 | Missouri S&T | L 8-3 |
| SB | 02/27 | Drury | W 17-10 |
| BB | 02/27 | Mo. Western | W 17-0 |
| BB | 02/27 | Mo. Western | W 3-2 (10 inn.) |
| BB | 02/26 | Mo. Western | W 12-8 |
| BB | 02/26 | Missouri Western | W 11-10 |
| MB | 02/24 | Pittsburg State | W 69-60 |
| WB | 02/24 | Pittsburg State | L 78-74 |
| MB | 02/21 | Mo. Southern | L 76-57 |