Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Bowling Green
Tennis recap: Rams fall 5-2 to Bowling Green
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
Feb. 19, 2011
By Amanda Bader
Athletic Media Relations
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado State’s tennis team fell short in a disappointing 5-2 dual Saturday against Bowling Green.
CSU struggled in doubles play, only winning one of three matches. Things didn't look up from there as they then lost four consecutive singles matches to Bowling Green (7-2) before gaining the day’s first point. After Saturday's loss, the Rams are now 2-3 this season.
"The fact that we were not hungry enough to win is something that we are going to have to address," said Head Coach Jon Messick. "We aren't willing to put ourselves out there enough to win. We just have to compete more and want it more; right now we don't."
In doubles, the Rams’ sole win was from Lauren Mulhern and Kaley Schultz. The two defeated their Bowling Green opponents in a close 8-6 match.
After falling in the No. 1 doubles position, CSU still had hope in the No. 3 position as Melissa Holzinger and Tori Arneson stretched the match, but eventually lost, 9-7, clinching the Falcons’ first point of the day.
"It was disappointing that we just didn't take advantage in doubles," said Messick. "Same in singles; we had winnable matches but we just didn't want them as much as Bowling Green."
The Rams’ luck unfortunately did not turn around when singles play began. CSU gave up four more consecutive matches before gaining its first point of the dual.
Against Christine Chiricosta of Bowling Green at No. 1 singles. CSU senior Caitlin Fluegge showed signs of hope as she extended her first set to 6-5, before losing 7-5. Fluegge then forced a third set, showing impressive poise to earn a second-set tie-breaker, winning 7-6. But despite her efforts to stay ahead in the third set, Fluegge was defeated 7-5.
CSU also saw the opportunity to notch its first point when Mulhern, at No. 3 singles, pushed her first set to a 6-6 tie-breaker, before dropping a 7-6 decision. Unfortunately, Mulhern lost her momentum and dropped her second set, 6-4.
Veronika Wojakowska was the first to come through with a win for the Rams as she took her first set, 6-4, at No. 4 singles. Wojakowska then was shut out 6-0 in the second set by her Bowling Green opponent. Thankfully for CSU, things turned around in the third set as the junior pulled out a 6-4 victory.
The Rams’ second and final point for the day was gained by Holzinger, a senior, as she defeated Jessica Easdale of Bowling Green in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
Despite only gaining two points against the Falcons, Colorado State maintained close match play in several of the matches throughout the day.
"They are a really good team; they played consistent all the way through their lineup," said Messick. "They out-played us but we had our chances and didn't want it."
The Rams will continue their road swing as they travel to Lincoln, Neb., to prepare for back-to-back matches against Nebraska Feb. 26, and Creighton Feb. 27.
Colorado State's next home match will be Kid's Day, held March 5 against Montana State, at 6 p.m. MST. The match will be offered free to the public and will take place indoors at Miramont Lifestyle Fitness, 901 Oakridge Dr. in south Fort Collins behind Sam's Club.
Saturday's Results:
Doubles:
No. 1: C. Chiricosta/Eccleston (BGSU) def. Fluegge/Wojakowska (CSU), 8-2
No. 2: Mulhern/Schultz (CSU) def. Reuland/ N. Chiricosta (BGSU), 8-6
No. 3: Hill/Grubb (BGSU) def. Holzinger/Arneson (CSU), 9-7
Singles:
No. 1: Christine Chiricosta (BGSU) def. Caitlin Fluegge (CSU), 7-5, 6-7, 7-5
No. 2: Mary Hill (BGSU) def. Tori Arneson (CSU), 6-2, 6-4
No. 3: Nikki Chiricosta (BGSU) def. Lauren Mulhern (CSU), 7-6, 6-4
No. 4: Veronika Wojakowska (CSU) def. Maddy Eccleston (BGSU), 6-4, 0-6, 6-4
No. 5: Emily Reuland (BGSU) def. Kaley Schultz (CSU), 6-1, 6-1
No. 6: Melissa Holzinger (CSU) def. Jessica Easdale (BGSU), 6-4, 6-4
