Falcons Finish Regular-Season On High Note, Blank Albright
Posted: 10/21/2009
Box Score | More Women's Tennis news
Junior Katie Marstaller gave up just two games to her combined opponents Wednesday at Albright.

Reading, PA — Messiah’s final preparation for the upcoming MAC Individual Tournament couldn’t have gone much better Wednesday afternoon, as the Falcons handed Albright College a 9-0 defeat at the Albright College Tennis Complex.

Messiah (7-5, 4-2) captured all six singles flights in straight sets, while the Falcons’ three doubles teams allowed Albright (3-8, 1-5) a total of just eight games.

It was Messiah’s second 9-0 win of the season, and first in Commonwealth Conference competition.

“It was a good way to close out the regular-season,” said Sheila Bush, Messiah head coach. “We’ve now played well for two consecutive matches, and that’s the way you want to finish. Hopefully this carries over into the individual tournament this weekend.”

Messiah — fresh off an 8-1 win at Arcadia University on Monday — had only minimal resistance from Albright, as senior Christie McGinley and junior Stacey Clark claimed an 8-5 win over Albright’s Lisa Archibald and Ashley Woodcock at the number one doubles flight.

Senior Annie Gotchel and junior Kristen Chen needed less time in the second doubles match (an 8-2 win), as did juniors Katie Marstaller and Steph Knepper at the third doubles flight (an 8-1 victory).

Singles play was even more one-sided, as Chen’s 6-1, 6-3 win over the Lions’ Shaunte Allen at number six served as the closest match of the afternoon. Gotchel (four singles) and Knepper (five) each dropped just two games to their Albright counterparts, while Marstaller took a 6-1, 6-0 win over the Lions’ Anna Berzins and Clark a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Albright’s Woodcock.

McGinley finished things off with a 6-0, 6-3 win at the top singles spot, soundly defeating the Lions’ Archibald for her second straight win as the Falcons’ ace.

With the Commonwealth Conference playoffs not taking place until the spring, Messiah now focuses its attention on the upcoming MAC Individual Tournament, with nine total championships up for grabs. Due to the impending weather forecast, matches are now set to begin Friday night at Kingston Indoor Tennis Club in Kingston, Pa. Initial doubles matches are set to begin at 5 p.m., with singles play beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Depending on the forecast, Sunday’s final rounds will either be played at Kingston or at the Ralston Field Complex at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Updated information will be made to the official tournament website as it becomes known.