“We’ve been playing great all spring,” coach Craig Monson said. “Everybody’s excited for the tournament next weekend.”

Playing at home against River Falls, the Blugolds stuck to last year’s precedent by beating the Falcons 8-1, losing only the No. 1 singles match with senior Gina Dahl.

Dahl ended up losing both her No. 1 singles matches over the weekend, but sophomore Megan Born said they were both closely contested.

“Their number one singles is exceptionally good compared to the rest of the team,” Born said.

Also in the River Falls match, Born beat her Falcon opponent in the No. 3 match 6-0, 6-0, while freshman Taylor Heltne won the No. 5 spot 6-0, 6-1. Seniors Erin Welch and Brenna McCormick won their singles matches as well, along with freshman Gretchen Bachmeier.

In doubles, all three Blugold pairs were victorious. Dahl and senior Courtney Lynne won the No. 1 doubles spot 8-1, while the No. 2 and No. 3 matches were won with scores of 8-2.

Against Stout, the Blugolds won the overall match 8-1, while several Blugolds again achieved perfect singles matches: Lynne, Born and junior Michelle Reinders. There were other close singles matches as well. McCormick picked up a 6-1, 6-0 victory in the No. 2 match, while Welch won at No. 4 with scores of 6-2, 6-0.

In doubles, Dahl and Lynne also came out on top against Stout, winning a close match 8-6 in the No. 1 match. The No. 2 and No 3 duos of Born and Heltne and McCormick and Bachmeier won their competitions 8-1.

Born didn’t give up a game the entire weekend in singles competition. Monson attributed her success to her ability to be patient on the court.

“She’s just learned to keep balls in play longer and go for it at a more strategic time,” he said.

Born said that when she starts a match, she sizes up the other player’s skill and determine how the rest of the match will go. She visualizes giving up no games and keeps that in mind for the rest of the match.

The wins over the weekend bring the team’s record to 18-3, and the Blugolds have been undefeated so far in 2010.

Monson said the nice weather this spring has fired up the team to finish the rest of the season strong.

“Everybody’s working hard in practice,” he said.

Eau Claire will face UW-La Crosse on Saturday in Whitewater. The winner of the four-team WIAC competition will be automatically qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament. Born said the team has been looking forward to playing La Crosse because it’ll be a close
matchup.

“All the matches we’ve been playing for the spring season have been practice for the La Crosse match,” Born said.

Born said the team’s strategy will be to win the first few games early, and that will put them in a good position for the rest of the match.

Monson said he’s really enjoyed coaching the team this year, and the seniors have been good role models for the rest of the team.

“Realizing it’s their last semester for tennis, they really want to end on a good note,” he said. “They really just want to work hard and enjoy their tennis career because it really goes fast.”

Born echoed that sentiment, saying she’ll miss the seniors on the team.

“This is their last match, so I think they’re going to give it their all.”