Belles Edge Cougars

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's tennis team earned a 5-4 win over the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) on Friday night at the Eck Tennis Pavilion.

The Belles set the tone early with a quick 8-0 win at number three doubles by Katie Nickol and Margaret Faller. Mary Catherine Faller and Kayle Sexton teamed up to take an 8-3 win at number one doubles to put Saint Mary's up two matches to none. Jackie Kjolhede and Audrey Kiefer were stopped from making a comeback at number two doubles as the pair fell 8-5.

Margaret Faller and Audrey Kiefer then took little time to put the Belles within clinching the outcome of the match by winning decisively at singles play. Faller was a 6-3, 6-0 winner at number three singles. Kiefer finished shortly after with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win.

With the Belles needing just one more win out of the four remaining matches taking place, Kayle Sexton took the clincher with a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 win at number two singles for Saint Mary's.

Jackie Kjolhede nearly had the come-from-behind win at number four doubles as she trailed 4-1 in the second set after falling in the first set. She proceeded to win five consecutive games to take the second set 6-4 and force the pro set tiebreaker.

The Belles have a short rest before their next match as they host Trine for both teams' MIAA opener of the spring tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the Eck Tennis Pavilion.

Saint Mary's College 5, University of St. Francis 4
Singles competition
1. Chelsea Selking (USF) def. Mary Catherine Faller (SMC) 6-3, 6-3
2. Kayle Sexton (SMC) def. Kaycee Bills (USF) 7-6 (7-2), 6-3
3. Margaret Faller (SMC) def. Jessica Vietmeier (USF) 6-3, 6-0
4. Elizabeth Faber (USF) def. Jackie Kjolhede (SMC) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4)
5. Audrey Kiefer (SMC) def. Abby Oberley (USF) 6-0, 6-1
6. Amy Goulet (USF) def. Katie Nickol (SMC) 6-1, 7-6 (8-6)

Doubles competition
1. Mary Catherine Faller/Kayle Sexton (SMC) def. Chelsea Selking/Elizabeth Faber (USF) 8-3
2. Amy Goulet/Kaycee Bills (USF) def. Jackie Kjolhede/Audrey Kiefer (SMC) 8-5
3. Katie Nickol/Margaret Faller (SMC) def. Abby Oberley/Jessica Vietmeier (USF) 8-0