Adrian Northrup

Opponents, beware, the UW-Eau Claire women’s tennis team is on a roll and is not showing signs of slowing down. With two victories in dual meets on Friday and Saturday, the Blugolds extended their undefeated conference record to 8-0, and are 13-2 overall this year.
While the ‘Golds defeated the UW-Stevens Point Pointers on Friday, 9-0, the match that really mattered was the one Saturday against the St. Scholastica (Minn.) Saints. After losing to St. Scholastica last year, the Blugolds were looking for a little revenge this time around. Despite having five freshmen on the team, they were as hungry as veterans.

“Everyone was pretty excited (about the match),” freshman Gina Dahl said. “Last year (the team) lost so it was fun to get some revenge.”

The Blugolds, which lost 4-5 last year against St. Scholastica, came out with a mission Saturday. The team was led by No. 1 singles and doubles player, junior Sarah Riordan, who won in singles 6-4, 6-4, and in doubles with partner senior Laura Geissler, 8-6. Dahl had similar results at the No. 2 singles spot as she won her match 6-4, 6-3.
Other singles players included freshman Brenna McCormick, who won at No. 5 by shutting out her opponent.

The Blugolds have three dual meets left this season before the WIAC Championship in Madison on Oct. 21 and 22.

Despite the team getting better every week while being very young, McCormick said the team hasn’t been surprised with how they have done this year and they don’t feel much pressure as they head toward the end of their fall schedule.

“I don’t think it’s a big surprise (because) we have a strong team … it’s really deep,” McCormick said. “All of our players are close in singles.”

Dahl said it had been a surprise with how the team has played despite only having one senior and the team having a good record last year.

“Last year they lost four matches, so it’s surprising to come back (this year) and be undefeated,” she said.

Both Dahl and McCormick said the Blugolds will get its biggest test of the season in its final dual meet against last year’s conference champion, UW-La Crosse.

“La Crosse will be a really tough match to win … they won conference last year,” Dahl said. “It should be close.”

Both Dahl and McCormick pointed out the team chemistry between the freshman and returning players from a year ago has been very good.

“The transition was good (from high school to college),” McCormick said. “The very first week (the upperclassmen) were the only people here. They showed us the ropes and helped us get comfortable living here.”

McCormick said the rest of the season should go well for the ‘Golds as it winds down with the final three dual meets and the WIAC Championship.

“I hope we get what we’re practicing for,” she said. “(We) improve a little bit each week; (we need to) keep our intensity up and remember our goals for the WIAC and we’ll do really well.”