Belles Edged Out by Knights

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Saint Mary's tennis team fell by a narrow 5-4 margin to Calvin on Wednesday evening.

The Belles held the 2-1 advantage after the doubles matches were completed. Mary Catherine Faller and Kayle Sexton earned an 8-4 win at number one doubles, and Audrey Kiefer and Shannon Elliott were 8-6 winners at number two doubles.

With only the number one singles and number five singles matches remaining in what was a 4-3 lead for Calvin, the Knights were able to claim the number one singles match in three sets for the win.

Kayle Sexton took a 6-2, 6-2 win at the number two singles flight for Saint Mary's. Jackie Kjolhede was 6-1, 6-1 winner at number five singles on the night. Mary Catherine Faller battled in what proved to be the deciding match before ending on the wrong end of a 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 final.

The Belles (10-7, 4-3 MIAA) travel to Kalamazoo on Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. showdown against the Hornets with an MIAA Tournament berth on the line for Saint Mary's.


Results
Calvin College 5, Saint Mary's College 4

 Singles competition
1. Megan Visser (CALVINW) def. Mary Catherine Faller (SMC) 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
2. Kayle Sexton (SMC) def. Jordan Ipema (CALVINW) 6-2, 6-2
3. Ali Roode (CALVINW) def. Shannon Elliott (SMC) 6-3, 6-0
4. Bethany Zoerhof (CALVINW) def. Audrey Kiefer (SMC) 6-4, 6-1
5. Jackie Kjolhede (SMC) def. Samantha Reitsma (CALVINW) 6-1, 6-1
6. Elise Doezema (CALVINW) def. Katie Nickol (SMC) 6-1, 6-0

 Doubles competition
1. Mary Catherine Faller/Kayle Sexton (SMC) def. Bethany Zoerhof/Megan Visser (CALVINW) 8-4
2. Audrey Kiefer/Shannon Elliott (SMC) def. Jordan Ipema/Elise Doezema (CALVINW) 8-6
3. Samantha Reitsma/Ali Roode (CALVINW) def. Jackie Kjolhede/Katie Nickol (SMC) 8-5