A second place finish out of seven teams put the finishing touch on the fall season for the UW-Eau Claire women’s tennis team. After suffering its first loss against conference powerhouse UW-La Crosse last Saturday, the Blugolds fell short in the WIAC meet in Madison Saturday and Sunday.

La Crosse took first followed by the ‘Golds in second and UW-Whitewater in third place.

The Blugolds went into the tournament with a record of 10-1 in dual meets and 15-3 overall. After finishing third in the conference last year the team was hoping for better results, and after the second place finish, Eau Claire was pleased with its performance, senior Laura Geissler said.

“We were really satisfied with how we did this year,” she said. “(Coach Craig Monson) just got Coach of the Year too because of how we turned things around. It would have been awesome to get to nationals but we’re all pretty happy.”

With nine different brackets – six singles and three doubles – the Blugolds finished with three first place winners, three second places and two third place finishes.

Freshman Brenna McCormick capped off her first season with the Blugolds in successful fashion, winning the No. 6 singles bracket and winning the No. 2 doubles bracket with junior Kristie Carlson.

“I think I did really well. I was very excited (about my performance),” McCormick said. “My match with Kristie (Carlson) against UW-Whitewater was my best match all season.”

McCormick and Carlson defeated Whitewater 8-5 to advance to the finals, where the two Blugolds went on to defeat UW-River Falls’ No. 2 doubles team 8-2 to win
the bracket.

The other Blugold first place finish came from the No. 3 doubles team of freshman Gina Dahl and junior Liz Deprey. The two defeated the No. 3 doubles team from UW-La Crosse in the semifinals 8-5 and defeated UW-Whitewater’s No. 3 doubles 8-6 in the championship match.

Geissler said the success of the freshmen players has been a big help this year.
“It’s really awesome,” she said. “(We have) a good future ahead of us.”

Dahl finished second at No. 2 singles. Other second place finishes for the ‘Golds included Geissler at No. 4 singles and Geissler and junior Sarah Riordan at No. 1 doubles.

Riordan finished third in the first singles competition as did Carlson at No. 3 singles. Deprey finished fourth in the No. 5 singles bracket.

McCormick said the team had a great tournament and is excited for the future of Blugold tennis.

“We were all really proud (of) how we played even though some people wanted to do better,” she said. “Everybody played well. (We) left it all on the court. No one could feel bad about that.”

Geissler said the team will start practicing again in the middle of February for the spring season. .

“There’s lots of fun stuff in the spring,” Geissler said. “It’s more of a season to practice and to get better for next year.”