MOBILE, Ala. — Eleventh ranked Westmont had its season come to an end on Tuesday in the second round of the NAIA Women’s Tennis National Championship. The Warriors lost 5-1 to No. 7 Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga).
“I was proud of how all of them competed,” said Westmont head coach Kendyll McManigal. “We’ve talked about how when we come together as a team we can compete better. Overall, that is what they did well.”
After doubles play, the Warriors trailed 2-1. At number one doubles, Westmont’s Lauren Stratman and Kate Stratman fell to Theresa Schmaus and Maja Plavsic 8-3. On the number two court, Jessica Cedillo and Haley Strandness suffered an 8-1 loss to Maria Barragan and Daniella Arcila. At number three, Grace Davis and Emily Keach rallied from a 0-2 deficit to defeated India Hart and Carolina Viteri 8-6 and claim a point for the Warriors.
“Emily’s leadership definitely showed in the doubles match,” noted McManigal.
With a 2-1 lead, the Bees needed to win on three of the singles courts for the match to come to an end. At number two, Plavsic defeated Kate Stratman 6-1, 6-0 for the first singles win. Then Keach was defeated by Viteri 6-2, 6-1 at number six.
Despite being down 4-1, the Warriors were competitive in the rest of the singles matches and were fighting for a comeback.
“They did not give up,” asserted McManigal. “I had a lot of confidence in the matches that were still on (the courts) to possibly go to the third set. You could tell by the way that the players moved and carried themselves that they had belief that they could still pull it out.”
Unfortunately, the final point came on court three where Cedillo lost to Maria Barragan 6-2, 6-4, bringing an end to the match and leaving and the balance of the singles unfinished.
At number one, Lauren Stratman dropped the first set 5-7 to Schmaus but was ahead 4-3 in the second. On the number four court, Strandness won her first set 7-6, outscoring Hart 13-11 in the tiebreaker. Strandness led 3-0 in the second set when play was suspended. At number five, Davis lost the first set 7-6 (3) and had just begin the second set.
The Warriors conclude the 2014 season with a record of 12-13.
