Notre Dame lost a close 4-3 conference home match against Clemson on Friday then came up on the wrong end of another 4-3 decision two days later against Georgia Tech.
During Friday’s matchup with the Tigers (10-7, 8-4 ACC), the Irish (10-11, 4-8) were able to claim two victories in the singles competition. Sophomore Brooke Broda won her match 6-1, 6-3 on court No. 4. On court No. 6, freshman Rachel Chong emerged victorious 6-1, 6-2. From there, though, it was all Tigers. Sophomore Allison Miller lost her match 6-2, 6-2 on court No. 2. On court No. 5, junior Jane Fennelly came up short in a 7-6(8), 6-4 decision. On court No. 1, senior Quinn Gleason was defeated 6-2, 7-6(7). The other Irish singles loss was junior Mary Closs, who won the first set 6-3 before being bested in the last two sets 6-4, 7-5 on court No. 3.
Sophomore Brooke Broda prepares to return a shot during Notre Dame’s 6-1 win over Indiana on Feb. 20 at the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
Sophomore Brooke Broda prepares to return a shot during Notre Dame’s 6-1 win over Indiana on Feb. 20 at the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
Despite the losses in the singles competition, the Irish dominated the doubles competition to start the day. The doubles team of Gleason/Fennelly won 6-4 on court No. 1, while Closs and senior Julie Vrabel came out of their match with a 6-4 victory on court No. 2. On court No. 3, Broda/Miller were tied 6-6 before their match was discontinued.
Then on Sunday, the Irish split decisions with the Yellow Jackets (15-6, 10-2) in the singles matchup. After losing her first set 6-2, Broda won her match by winning the final two sets 7-5, 1-0(7) on court No. 4. Miller also earned a come from behind victory. After dropping her first set 6-1, Miller came out on top on court No. 2 by winning the final two sets 6-3, 6-1. On court No. 1, Gleason won her first set 6-2 before being bested 6-3 in the second set. Gleason took the third and deciding set with a score of 1-0(6). Closs, Fennelly and Chong did not have the same success as their other three teammates, however. Closs lost her match in straight sets 6-3, 7-5 on court No. 3. Fennelly met the same fate on court No. 5, losing 6-0, 6-4. Chong lost a close first set on court No. 6 7-6(0) before being bested in the second set 6-1 on court.
In the doubles competition, Broda/Miller emerged victorious in their match 6-3 on court No. 3. The pairs of Gleason/Fennelly and Closs/Vrabel both fell by scores of 6-3 on courts No. 1 and 2, respectively.
“We played two tough matches this past weekend and came up short in both,” Irish head coach Jay Louderback said. “We have been playing the top teams close but just haven't been able to put up four points in the matches.”
When asked which of his players he thinks made the biggest contribution for his team this weekend, Louderback responded he thought Miller and Gleason rose up to meet the challenge in the match against Georgia Tech. He also said he was happy with the improvement the doubles teams showed over the weekend.
“Allie Miller and Quinn Gleason both had good wins against Georgia Tech as both of their players are ranked in the top 40,” Louderback said. “I feel our doubles has gotten to the point where we have a good chance to win 2 of 3.”
Notre Dame will be back in action this weekend when they take on conference-foe Virginia Tech Friday afternoon at the Courtney Tennis Center. Then on Sunday, the Irish will travel to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a match against Virginia.
“We have two more top 30 opportunities this weekend with one of them at home,” Louderback said.
Sunday's matchup will be the last of the regular season for the Irish before they turn their attention to the ACC championship in Cary, North Carolina, next week.
