Saturday, May 17th, 2008 by Tim Kennedy
In the early stages of each quarterfinal matchup at the 2008 NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championships games are close, as deuce is echoed on every court by chair umpires during each service game. No match is separated by more than one service break with every player playing from the baseline with the occasional net approach.
The most intriguing match thus far has been between top-seed Siobhan Finicane and Kristen Raymond. Raymond had an early 3-0 lead before Finicane evened the match at 3-3. Since that point, both players have had grueling service games with each point lasting nearly 20 ground strokes between both players.
Fourth-seed Brittany Berckes just took the first set 6-3 against fifth-seed Cary Gibson. However, that is nothing new for Gibson as she has played her best this week when she has been down one set. For Gibson it has seemed that is when the match truly begins for her.
