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Early struggles cost match, end streak at 3 for Appalachian |
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Tuesday, 26 February 2008 |
by ERIK RHYNE
Sports Reporter
The Appalachian State University women’s tennis team fell 5-2 in its home opener to Mercer University Sunday.
Even with the loss, the Mountaineers refused to be down on themselves, already looking on how to improve after the game was over.
“The fact of the match is every match was tight,” junior Monica Silva said. “Anja [Gugger] won and I was close [to winning]. It just shows we’re on track - we’re getting there. This is still the beginning of the season.”
 Senior Anja Gugger defeated her opponent 6-4, 6-1 in Boone Sunday. The Mountaineers fell to Mercer University 5-2 during their first home game of the 2008 season, ending a three-match winning streak. The next match will be Saturday against East Carolina University. Photo by Derek DeSha
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The
score does not tell the story of the game, or show how close both ASU
and Mercer played. With the Bears needing only one win between two
matches, Appalachian faced insurmountable odds.
Mountaineer junior Lindsay King and sophomore Caroline Mauch, playing
in the number five and six spots respectively, saw their matches enter
the third set.
However, neither could pull out a win, letting Mercer take home the victory.
The loss ends Appalachian’s winning streak at three, which was its longest in two season.
Even with dropping Saturday’s match, the Mountaineers stand 4-3 overall as they begin preparations for the Southern Conference.
“Our momentum is so strong right now,” Gugger said. “I think it’s a
win-win for us. [In losing], we’ll learn from our mistakes and get
better for our next match… [Our strong start] is great and rewarding.
It shows all of our hard work is paying off. Everybody has made
adjustments really well and we’ve found a way to come together and
perform.”
 Freshman Heather Prior finished 6-4, 6-0 Sunday, winning her match against Cali Sachs from Mercer.
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One thing Appalachian knows they need to work on is its doubles play.
In collegiate tennis, teams play three games of doubles. Whichever team
wins two games is awarded a team point to the overall score.
In most of ASU’s games, including every loss this season, the Mountaineers have lost that one point.
By losing that point, Appalachian finds itself behind early trying to make up the point.
“I think [the doubles point] is very crucial because it makes a huge
difference,” Gugger said. “Conference is going to be more competitive
and it’s going to be a higher-level play. If we can work on our net
play, we can get the momentum of the match and carry it from doubles to
singles.”
ASU head coach Colin Crothers said earlier this season he was still
moving the line up around to find the perfect fits for the members of
the team.
If Appalachian finds the right pairs and wins the doubles point, they would gain the “automatic edge,” Gugger said.
That is not the only thing one team member believes needs improvement.
Tomas said Appalachian needs to work on its mental aspect.
“Tennis is a very psychological game, she said. “I’d even say it’s 80
percent psychological and 20 percent physical. That’s one thing we have
to work on. We need to be stronger psychologically.”
ASU will look to rebound from Saturday’s defeat as it hosts East Carolina University Saturday.
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