Tennis can't top Niagara
Kyle Anderson
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Sports
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Staff Writer
After a split with La Salle in a non-league game on Monday, the Loyola men's and women's tennis teams finished a tough week on Saturday, falling to Niagara in their MAAC opener at the Butler courts. Niagara defeated the women 4-3, while the men lost by a score of 6-1.
Winning in singles for the women (6-3, 0-1 MAAC) were No. 4 sophomore Stephanie Dunn, No. 5 senior Meaghan McKenna, who won in straight sets (6-2, 6-2), and No. 6 sophomore Lauren Cassle. Those three tied the match at three before freshman Joy Johnson dropped a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) heartbreaker, giving the Purple Eagles the win.
Loyola also added a win in doubles from sophomore Caitlin Day and Dunn at No. 2.
The men's lone win came in No. 2 singles, when sophomore Matt McDaniel defeated his opponent 6-1, 6-4. The doubles team of senior Doug Alban and freshman Dan D'Agostino saw their undefeated season end as they lost 8-4. The loss dropped the Hounds to 7-3 on the season.
Despite the losses, head coach Rick McClure remains optimistic.
"This is the best that the men have competed with Niagara in the last five years," McClure said. "It is very encouraging to see our performance against one of the upper echelon teams in our conference."
McClure was also pleased with the women's play, despite the close loss. The women were tied 3-3 with Niagara, until the final match, in which freshman Joy Johnson narrowly lost at No. 3 singles.
"There was a high degree of competition all day, and it was interesting that it came down to the final match," McClure said.
Prior to Niagara, the Greyhounds split matches with LaSalle, in Philadelphia, Pa., on Monday. The women took a 6-1 victory, while the men were narrowly defeated by the Explorers 4-3. Winning in singles for the women were No. 2 sophomore Kerri Swan and No. 3 Johnson, who each posted 6-3, 6-1, victories. At No. 4, Cassle won 6-0, 6-1, while Dunn handled her opponent 6-1, 6-0, at No. 5.
The dominance continued for the women in doubles as Swan and Johnson recorded an 8-1 victory at No.1. Continuing the theme, Cassle and freshman Andie Keyser-Baker defeated their opponents 8-2 at No. 2.
For the men, McDaniel and sophomore Tim Koch pulled off a 9-7 win at No. 1 doubles for the Greyhounds. Alban and D'Agostino also won at No. 3.
Winning in singles for the men were McDaniel at No. 3 and Alban at No. 5. Senior co-captains Scott Gannon and Ben Epstein were both defeated in three sets at No. 1 and No. 2, respectfully. D'Agostino also lost in three sets at No. 6.
The men's and women's matches against Rider scheduled for Friday, March 28, were postponed due to inclement weather.
The teams will play the match at 3:15 p.m. on Monday, April 7, at Rider.
The Greyhounds hope to improve their records as they take on George Mason on Sunday, March 30, in Fairfax, Va.
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