April 26, 2008

Yellowjackets Upset in RMAC Championship

KEARNEY, Neb. –Top-seeded Montana State Billings women’s tennis team was upset by host and fourth-seeded Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon, 5-1 putting a serious dent the Yellowjackets’ NCAA Tournament hopes.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fall to 6-8 on the year.

UNK (10-10) opened the match with a clean sweep in doubles for a 3-0 lead.  Two of the three matches (Nos. 1 and 2) were tight as UNK won 8-6 at number one and 9-7 at number two. 

In singles, the Yellowjackets dropped two of the top three matches, including senior RMAC Player of the Year Heidi Lehman who came up short, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to Mary Outwaite at the top spot.  Anne-Sophie Tredet won her match with Kristen Messbarger who had to retire in the second set.  But the clincher came at number three as Marcelle Strydom upset Marta Borges, 6-3, 6-3 for the win.  

UNK now will face Mesa State in the championship at 10 a.m. Sunday. 

Doubles

1. Mary Outwaite/Kristen Messbarger (UNK) def. Heidi Lehman/Johnna Beatty   8-6

2. Callie Erickson/Marcelle Strydom (UNK) def. Marta Borges/Anne-Sophie Tredet 9-7

3. Jenna Eichman/McKenna Irwin (UNK) def. Mollie McAlpine/Victoria Fernandez 8-4  

Singles

1.  Outhwaite (UNK) def.. Lehman             7-6 (7-4), 6-2
2.  Tredet (MSUB) def. Messbarge         6-2, 4-1: Messbarger retired
3.  Strydom (UNK) def. M. Borges         6-3, 6-3
4.  Irwin (UNK) Vs. Beatty (MSUB)      4-2: DNF
5.  Eichman (UNK) Vs. Fernandez (MSUB) 6-1, 4-1: DNF
6.  Erickson (UNK) Vs. McAlpine (MSUB)4-5: DNF  

Notes: UNK is now 10-10; MSUB is 6-8