UW-Eau Claire 8, UW-Stout 1
MENOMONIE (April 20, 2021) -
Lauren Couves picked up a hard-fought come-from-behind win at No. 1 singles over UW-Eau Claire as the UW-Stout tennis team closed out it's regular season by hosting UW-Eau Claire on the South Tennis Courts on a cold Tuesday afternoon.
Couves defeated Eau Claire's Elaine Franta, 6-2, in the first set at No. 1 singles, but Franta came back with a 6-2 second win to force the tie-breaker. Facing two match points and trailing 9-7 in the tie-breaker, Couves swung the momentum back her way with a backhand passing shot and went on to take the tie-breaker, 11-9, and the match.
"Lauren played a great match tonight," coach
Bryce Supri said. "She battled against a tough opponent and found a way to win in the tiebreak. She keeps getting better with every match she plays."
The win was Couves fourth straight win at No. 1 singles and will set up for an advantageous position heading into the conference tournament this weekend in Whitewater.
While Couves grabbed Stout's only win of the night, Supri was pleased with the improvement the team has been showing.Â
"I liked how the team battled at every position tonight," Supri said. "I thought everyone improved their overall play and did a nice job of transferring what we have been doing in practice to the match."
Annie Sandry lost 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 singles.
Mariah Kent, who was playing in only her second match of the season, lost at No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-1.
Olivia Leipnitz dropped her No. 4 match, 6-0, 6-1.
Kyrstin Hanson fell at No. 5 singles, 6-3, 6-1 and
Madeline Binczak was bested 6-0, 6-1, at No. 6 singles.
Couves and Sandry dropped an 8-3 decision at No. 1 doubles. Kent and Leipnitz fell at No. 2 doubles, 8-1 and Hanson and
Kylie Rennie were topped 8-3 at No. 3 doubles.
The Blue Devils will play in the WIAC Championship, presented by Culver's, April 24-25 at UW-Whitewater.
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