Seniors Kristy Frilling and Shannon Mathews fell short in both singles and doubles play at the All-American championships this weekend in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
"It definitely was a rough week, and I think moving forward we want to just keep working hard in practice and try [to] forget about our results," Frilling said. "We may have lost, but now it's all about how we come back and prepare to win."
At the start of doubles play Friday, Mathews and Frilling faced off against BrynnBoren and Sarah Toti from
Tennessee. The Irish partners were the fifth-ranked and fourth-seeded doubles pair in the main draw and had a bye in the first round, but their high ranking couldn't help them secure a win in the second round against the Volunteers' pair.
Mathews and Frilling lost to Boren and Toti in an 8-0 decision, as the Irish could not find a rhythm in any of the eight games played.
"I think we just need to get some more matches in and work on adding some versatility in our game plans," Frilling said.
Frilling was also eliminated from the consolation bracket of singles play on Friday in her match against Lindsey Hardenburgh from Virginia. Frilling lost quickly in the first game, 6-1, then battled with Hardenburgh in the second set before dropping it 6-3, eliminating her from competition.
"I need to work on my forehand. I lost confidence in it easily," Frilling said. "It's really important for me to work on it every day."
Saturday, the doubles pair lost in the doubles consolation bracket against Kristi Boxx and Abbie Guthrie from Mississippi.
"We played a lot better," Frilling said. "I think despite losing, [the match] added a positive note. We know what we are capable of, so it is just a matter of being able to perform that way."
The Irish will compete in their first tournament as a complete team on Oct. 20 in the Midwest Regional Qualifying tournament in Columbus, Ohio.
Contact Katie Heit at kheit@nd.edu