CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - The dream of a Mid-South Conference season and tournament championship sweep fell short Monday for the Campbellsville University Lady Tiger tennis team. Campbellsville dropped a close, 5-4, championship match to defending MSC Tournament champion Lindsey Wilson College on the Lady Tigers' home courts.

CU started the afternoon with a 2-1 lead after wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, but quickly saw the match even 3-3 after the Blue Raiders took wins at No. 1 and No. 3 singles. Stacey Drew recorded the Lady Tigers' first singles victory at No. 6 singles, 6-1, 6-1, over Lindsey Wilson's Ashley Phillips.

"We were excited after doubles going up 2-1, because it was our singles that did well at their place (in the regular season), but they played well today, and you have to give them credit. They deserved to win," said CU head coach Kyle Caven.

Following MSC Freshman of the Year Tanya Murtagh's loss to MSC Player of the Year Trina Slapeka at No. 1 singles, Aspen Edwards regained the lead for the Lady Tigers with a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles over Rocio Cardo. The win left the two remaining matches with potential of clinching the MSC crown.

Freshman Kristen Hamrick battled through a first set tie breaker, but fell 7-6 (3) in the first set at No. 5 singles to LWC's Edel Ferri. Hamrick took an early lead in the second set, but Ferri pulled ahead in the second set, 5-4, before Hamrick broke Ferri's serve to even the score, 5-5. The Blue Raider followed though by closing out the match, 7-5 and bringing the overall team score even at 4-4.

Meanwhile, No. 2 singles continued to be a marathon. Anita Henestrosa had rallied for the Lady Tigers from losing the first set 6-0, 6-0, to win the second set 6-3. By the time Hamrick's match came to a close, Henestrosa had evened the third set, 5-5. However, Laura Vergara held on to give Lindsey Wilson the championship with a 7-5 win in the third set as both teams sat on the middle line of court one to watch the finish.

The loss snaps an 11-match win streak for Campbellsville (15-5) and gives Lindsey Wilson the automatic bid to the NAIA Tournament. Campbellsville won the MSC regular season championship to earn a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament for the first time in program history after going 5-0 during the season, including a 5-4 win at Lindsey Wilson.

"We're proud of the girls. You're talking about a group that included four freshmen. We've had a successful year," said Caven. "A defeat's always good, because you learn from a defeat. We still have the NCCAA coming up and possibly a chance for an at-large bid to the NAIA. You never know."

Campbellsville will have two weeks off from competition before traveling to Mobile, Ala., May 9-12 for the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Tournament. CU was ranked No. 20 in the most recent NAIA Coaches Poll. The NAIA Tournament field of teams will be announced following the final coaches poll May 8.


 

Lindsey Wilson 5, Campbellsville 4
DOUBLES
No. 1 - Tanya Murtagh/Anita Henestrosa (CU) def. Trina Slapeka/Slavica Milanovic (LWC), 8-4
No. 2 - Laura Vergara/Rocio Cardo (LWC) def. Gleidys Salazar/Aspen Edwards (CU), 8-3
No. 3 - Kristen Hamrick/Stacey Drew (CU) def. Edel Ferri/Ashley Phillips (CU), 8-0

SINGLES
No. 1 - Trina Slapeka (LWC) def. Tanya Murtagh (CU), 6-3, 6-3
No. 2 - Laura Vergara (LWC) def. Anita Henestrosa (CU), 6-0, 3-6, 7-5
No. 3 - Salvica Milanovic (LWC) def. Gleidys Salazar (CU), 6-0, 6-0
No. 4 - Aspen Edwards (CU) def. Rocio Cardo (LWC), 6-1, 6-1
No. 5 - Edel Ferri (LWC) def. Kristen Hamrick (CU), 7-6 (3), 7-5
No. 6 - Stacey Drew (CU)def. Ashley Phillips (LWC), 6-1, 6-1