ST. PETER, Minn. – The Gustavus women’s tennis team earned a trip the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship with a 5-1 victory over the University of St. Thomas Friday. The Gusties claimed two of three doubles matches and then won the first three singles to secure the victory. Gustavus improves to 18-7 overall, while the Tommies fall to 15-3.
“It was a really fun and intense match between two great teams,” Head Coach Jon Carlson said. “I’m just happy that we were able to pull it off. The girls played inspired tennis all day long.”
After the Gusties’ Nos. 1 and 2 doubles captured the first two points, Briana Hartmann (So., Owatonna, Minn.) cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 3 singles to put the home team up 3-1. Cal Carlson (Sr., St. Peter, Minn.) then fought back at No. 5 after trailing in the second set to pick up a 6-3, 6-4 win, while getting the Gusties one point away from victory. Shortly after, Ally Baker (Jr., Rosemount, Minn.) used a comeback effort at No. 2 after dropping the first set 6-0 to claim the second and third sets by 6-3 decisions.
Singles
- Jenna Zimmerman (UST) vs. Michaela Schulz (Sr., Elk River, Minn.) (GAC) 3-6, 6-4, 5-5 (no result)
- Ally Baker (GAC) def. Caitlin Bakke (UST) 0-6, 6-3, 6-3
- Briana Hartmann (GAC) def. Paige Becher (UST) 6-1, 6-2
- Taylor McLeod (UST) vs. Katie Aney (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) (GAC) 6-0, 4-6 (no result)
- Cal Carlson (GAC) def. Jessie O’Brien (UST) 6-3, 6-4
- Paige McLeod (UST) vs. Lilly Hartman (So., Cedar Rapids, Iowa) (GAC) 6-4, 3-4 (no result)
Doubles
- Michaela Schulz/Ally Baker (GAC) def. Paige McLeod/Taylor McLeod (UST) 8-2
- Cal Carlson/Briana Hartmann (GAC) def. Caitlin Bakke/Jenna Zimmerman (UST) 8-6
- Paige Becher/Lauren Keller (UST) def. Lilly Hartman/Katie Aney (GAC) 8-6
Gustavus is now set for a rematch of last season’s MIAC title match as it will travel to No. 1 seed Carleton at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Knights (16-4) defeated Bethel 9-0 today.