The Gustavus women’s tennis team improved to 21-5 overall and 9-0 in the MIAC with conference victories at Carleton (8-1) on Saturday morning, at home against St. Kate’s (9-0) on Saturday afternoon, at St. Thomas (5-0) on Sunday afternoon, at Macalester (9-0) on Sunday evening, and at home against St. Olaf (9-0) on Monday afternoon. The Gusties will close out their regular season schedule on Wednesday afternoon with a home match against St. Ben’s at 4:30 pm.
Coach Jon Carlson’s squad opened its busy weekend by defeating Carleton 8-1 in Northfield on Saturday morning. The loss was the first of the season for the Knights in conference play. The Gusties won five of six singles matches and all three doubles matches.
The squad returned home on Saturday afternoon to host St. Catherine and posted a convincing 9-0 win on the Brown Courts at the Swanson Tennis Center. The Gusties won all six singles matches without dropping a set as well as claiming all three doubles matches.
On Sunday afternoon, Gustavus travelled to St. Paul to face St. Thomas. The Gusties claimed a 5-0 win over a scrappy St. Thomas squad. The match began outdoors and was moved indoors due to rain. The Gusties took a 3-0 lead by winning all three doubles matches and then clinched the victory with singles victories by Lauren Hom at the #1 position and Darcy Haubrick at the #6 position.
The Gusties stayed in St. Paul for a match against Macalester on Sunday evening at the Fort Snelling Tennis Center. Gustavus jumped out to a 3-0 lead by winning all three doubles matches and then posted six wins in singles play in straight sets.
On Monday afternoon, Gustavus hosted St. Olaf on the Brown Outdoor Courts. The Gusties once again claimed a convincing 9-0 victory. Coach Carlson’s squad did not lose a set in any of the six singles matches.
Gustavus has compiled an individual match record of 76-1 in nine matches against conference opponents this season with the only individual match loss coming against Carleton.
The Gusties will close out conference play with a home match against St. Ben’s on Wednesday at 4:30 pm. The Blazers enter with a conference mark 8-1 and could force a three-way tie for the regular season title should they be able to defeat the Gusties. If Gustavus is able to claim the victory it would earn its 16th consecutive MIAC title and extend its consecutive win streak in regular season conference matches to 166 (dating back to 1990).