LINCROFT, N.J. ? Heading into the NEC Championships this weekend, the Monmouth University women's tennis team finished the regular season with a top-notch effort in defeating conference rival, St. Francis College, 6-1, on Monday afternoon in Lincroft, N.J. Stringing together a season-high three-match win streak, the Hawks put together a solid team effort, winning five of six singles games and all three doubles.
Notching the first point on the afternoon for Monmouth was senior Kaitlin Gallagher (North Haledon, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) who soundly defeated St. Francis' Alexis, 6-0, 6-0 in second singles. Gallagher, riding a three-game win streak, also tacked on her ninth singles win on the season, tying her for second best on the team.
Leading the squad in singles wins on the season with 11, freshman Jessica Slinger (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) was flawless for the Blue and White in third singles beating the Terriers' Slay, 6-0, 6-0. Sophomore Katie Tierney (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) followed with a swift 6-0, 6-0 victory over St. Francis' Lawrence at fourth singles.
Rounding out scoring for the Hawks was junior Diane Washer (Ogdensburg, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional) and senior Kelly Friedrich (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) who pounded on the opposition with wins at fifth and sixth singles 6-0, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-1 respectively.
For the fourth time in the season, Monmouth was successful in taking all three doubles games and snatching the doubles point. The senior duo of Gallagher and Sarah Ragan (Lanoka Harbor, N.J./Lacey Township) led with a first doubles win over St. Francis' doubles team, 8-4. Second and third doubles then posted 8-0, 8-1 victories to seal the team win for Monmouth.
Heading into the upcoming NEC tournament, the Hawks two, three, and five singles will bring with them three-game winning streaks. Monmouth's five and six singles players have a combined 23-17 record, while third doubles leads with a 12-8 overall record.
The victory propelled MU to a 7-13 overall record ? 5-3 in conference ? while the Terriers dropped to 0-12 on the season. The Blue and White also evened out their home record on the season, as they finished 4-4.
The Monmouth women's tennis team, riding off of wave of confidence, will be heading to Princeton, N.J. for the NEC Championships on April 17-18th. With the sixth seed in the tournament, the Hawks will face Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday, with the match starting no later than 11:30 a.m.
