(LEBANON, Ill., April 6)—The McKendree College women’s tennis team dropped a hard-fought decision Thursday evening at home against Lindenwood University, 5-4. The match, originally scheduled for the outdoor courts at McKendree, was moved indoors to the St. Clair Tennis Club in O’Fallon due to inclement weather.

 

McKendree dominated doubles play, taking two of the three matches against the visiting Lions. However, Lindenwood won four of the six singles matches to pull out the victory. The loss was third in a row for McKendree, which falls to 4-3 on the season.

 

Sophomore Jenny Mennerick (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) and junior Sara Johnson (Effingham, IL/Effingham) (Effingham, Ill./Effingham) were both undefeated on the day, with each winning in singles and doubles play. Playing at No. 2 singles, Mennerick battled to a 7-5, 6-3 win while teaming with freshman Maria Occhipinti (Argentina) for an 8-4 victory at No. 1 doubles.

 

Johnson rallied for a 4-6, 7-5, 10-3 win at No. 3 singles before pairing with junior Kelly Beiermann (Godfrey, Ill./Alton Marquette) for an 8-6 decision at No. 3 doubles.

 

McKendree will be in Elsah, Ill., this weekend for the Greenville College Tournament. The event was originally scheduled for Greenville, Ill., but was moved to Principia College to utilize an indoor facility.

 

 

Luisa Macias (LU) def. Maria Occhipinti (McK), 7-5, 7-6 (7-2)

Jenny Mennerick (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) (McK) def. Liana Burrows (LU), 7-5, 6-3

Sara Johnson (Effingham, IL/Effingham) (McK) def. Lina Duque (LU), 4-6, 7-5, 10-3

Livia Ruas (LU) def. Heather Brinkmeyer (St. Louis, MO/Lutheran North) (McK), 6-1, 6-4

Oihane Ciruelos (LU) def. Erin Thoman (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) (McK), 7-5, 7-6 (8-6)

Ivone Gadala-Maria (LU) def. Kelly Beiermann (McK), 6-1, 6-1

 

Occhipinti/Mennerick (McK) def. Burrows/Duque (LU), 8-4

Macias/Gadala-Maria (LU) def. Brinkmeyer/Thoman (McK), 8-4

Johnson/Beiermann (McK) def. Ruas/Ciruelos (LU), 8-6

 

McKendree is now 4-3 on the season