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Messiah Puts 9-0 Thumping On Overmatched PSU Harrisburg
Posted: 10/1/2009
Box Score | More Women's Tennis news
Junior Stacey Clark was just one of Messiah's players to breeze through singles play Thursday.

Middletown, PA — Messiah’s recent struggles now appear to be long forgotten, as the Falcons claimed their second straight decision by landslide Thursday afternoon, defeating Penn State University Harrisburg by a 9-0 count.

The win comes on the heels of an 8-1 Commonwealth Conference decision against Lycoming College, a win that snapped a two-match losing streak for the Falcons — with both losses coming in 9-0 blankings.

Messiah (4-4) effectively turned the tables on the Nittany Lions Thurrsday, however, winning the six singles positions in straight sets while only giving up a total of five games throughout.

Juniors Stacey Clark and Steph Knepper each cruised to 6-0, 6-0 decisions at the second and fifth flights, respectively, while senior Christie McGinley only surrendered one game at the top singles spot to the Lions’ Lauren Hall.

The same was true of junior Katie Marstaller at number three singles and of senior Annie Gotchel at number four, as both defeated their Penn State Harrisburg (2-3) counterparts by 6-1, 6-0 counts.

The Falcons opened the day with only slightly more resistance in doubles play, as Penn State’s combination of Jessica Karl and Caitlin Royer claimed four games against Gotchel and sophomore Sarah Thow at the number two doubles position.

That tandem went on to cruise by an 8-4 count, however, while Messiah’s top doubles team of Clark and McGinley won by an 8-3 score and the third pairing of Knepper and Marstaller by an 8-0 count.

“Anytime you can get back to playing solid, winning tennis, it’s a good thing,” said Sheila Bush, Messiah head coach. “We played well up and down the lineup today.”

Messiah will return to league play next, as the team travels to Alvernia University Saturday afternoon. A newcomer to the Commonwealth Conference — the Knights were on the Freedom Conference side of the MAC prior to this year — Alvernia enters with an overall record of 7-1. Match time is set for 4 p.m.