Belles Fall to Knights

• Meaghan Flynn and Kaity Venters took an 8-5 victory at two doubles.
• Monica Davy and Sam Setterblad battled to a 9-7 win at the one doubles flight.
• Liz Preister claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win at six singles.

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's tennis team fell in a 6-3 final against Calvin on Wednesday afternoon.

Maddie Minaudo and Elizabeth Preister suffered an 8-2 setback at three doubles as the first match off the courts. Meaghan Flynn and Kaity Venters drew the Belles even with the Knights with an 8-5 victory at the two doubles flight. Monica Davy and Sam Setterblad battled to the end - including breaking serve in the final game - to claim a 9-7 win at the one doubles flight for the 2-1 overall Saint Mary's lead.

Davy had a quick turnaround and, despite several long points, ended on the short side of a 6-2, 6-2 final at one singles. Preister made it a 3-2 Belles lead overall with a 6-3, 6-2 win at six singles. Flynn came up shy in a 6-3, 6-1 decision at four singles as the overall match score drew even at 3-3.

Minaudo hung tough in the opening set but was unable to overtake her opponent in a 7-5, 6-3 final at five singles. The Belles needed both matches still being competed, but the bounces did not go in favor of the home side. Kelsey Kopf was defeated by narrow margins in a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 two singles match. Sam Setterblad came back to force a third set at three singles, but the senior ended on the wrong end of a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 competition.

Despite the loss, the Belles clinched a berth in the MIAA Tournament by virtue of another result in league competition. It is the fourth consecutive year Saint Mary's has earned a spot in the top-four only conference tournament.

The Belles (10-12, 4-3 MIAA) conclude the regular season on Saturday when they travel to Alma for a 1:00 p.m. match.

Calvin College 6, Saint Mary's College 3
Singles competition
1. Claire Spoelhof (CALVIN) def. Monica Davy (SMC) 6-2, 6-2
2. Jessica Bouma (CALVIN) def. Kelsey Kopf (SMC) 7-6 (7-2), 6-4
3. Ellie Benzel (CALVIN) def. Sam Setterblad (SMC) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
4. Micaela Seazzu (CALVIN) def. Meaghan Flynn (SMC) 6-3, 6-1
5. Anna Asfour (CALVIN) def. Maddie Minaudo (SMC) 7-5, 6-3
6. Elizabeth Preister (SMC) def. Lark Foote (CALVIN) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Monica Davy/Sam Setterblad (SMC) def. Claire Spoelhof/Ellie Benzel (CALVIN) 9-7
2. Meaghan Flynn/Kaity Venters (SMC) def. Lark Foote/Liz Turner (CALVIN) 8-5
3. Micaela Seazzu/Jessica Bouma (CALVIN) def. Maddie Minaudo/Elizabeth Preister (SMC) 8-2