EMMITSBURG, Md. ? The Monmouth women's tennis team took a step back in the standings on Sunday afternoon when they lost, 7-0, to NEC rival, Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, Md. Playing alongside the men's squad, who produced a 6-1 victory, the women weren't as successful, as they were shut out of points for the second time this spring championship season. Monmouth fell to 4-13 overall as Mount St. Mary's improved to 8-9 in their campaign.
The sunny calm Sunday afternoon didn't help the cause for the Hawks as they dropped all six singles games and two doubles matchups, winning only third doubles. Sophomore Katie Tierney (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Governor Livingston) and senior Kristen Hoffmann (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central) teamed up to provide a spark at third doubles with an 8-4 victory over the Mount's Thayer and Grugan.
In singles action, senior Sarah Ragan (Lanoka Harbor, N.J./Lacey Township) dropped first singles, 6-1, 6-0 to Mount's Bolchoz. Senior Kaitlin Gallagher (North Haledon, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) was defeated in second singles to Mount St. Mary's' Johnson, 6-1, 6-2 while third single saw freshman Jessica Slinger (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) beaten by Mount's Hallahan, 6-0, 6-1.
Tierney downed her fourth singles match, 6-0, 6-2 and junior Diane Washer (Ogdensburg, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional) fell in fifth singles, 6-1, 6-1. Freshman Britney Dupuis (Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck) was on her way to a tight first set when she retired due to injury.
Monmouth have dropped two of three on the road heading into their longest home stretch of the season. The Hawks host their last three matches of the season before the long awaited NEC Championship on April 17-18th.
The Hawks host the first of three home matches tomorrow afternoon as the La Salle Explorers come into town. The match is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and will be played at Firemen's Field in Ocean, N.J.
