(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 13)—The McKendree College women’s tennis team opened its 2007 season last weekend at the Principia College Tournament in Elsah, Ill.

 

Sophomore Erin Thoman (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) and senior Heather Brinkmeyer (St. Louis, MO/Lutheran North) (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran North) dominated the Tier 2 singles event as both reached the championship match. Thoman brought home the title with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Brinkmeyer. Thoman was seeded No. 5 in Tier 2, and she won all four matches to claim the title. Brinkmeyer was the No. 4 seed in the tier.

 

In Tier 1 play, freshman Maria Occhipinti (Bamia Blanca, Argentina) reached the semifinal round, falling to the eventual champion in the flight, Kathleen Brancato of the University of Illinois at Springfield.

 

Occhipinti and sophomore Jenny Mennerick (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) reached the finals at No. 1 doubles before falling to the Illnois-Springfield team of Brancato and Rosanna Ramilo in a tiebreaker, 9-8. Occhipinti and Mennerick had a record of 3-1 in the tournament.

 

Brinkmeyer and Thoman teamed for a runner-up finish at No. 2 doubles. They were also 3-1 in tournament play, dropping an 8-3 decision to Jennifer Salmon and Hannah Wittmer from Truman State University.

 

The Bearcats will host Missouri Valley College on March 3 in Lebanon. The match will begin at 3 p.m.