By Natalie Hanna · Sports Editor
MEADVILLE — After an impressive season, the Grove City College women’s tennis team lost to Allegheny, the No. 1 seed, in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship.
This is the second straight year Grove City lost to the Gators in the final.
The Wolverines played No. 3 Washington & Jefferson in the semifinals on Oct. 22, winning 4-0, and then dropped a 4-1 decision to the Gators after six singles matches and three doubles on Saturday.
Despite the loss, the team remained cheerful.
“While we were upset to lose, we were so grateful for the season we had,” sophomore Grace Stitt said.
Grove City took one match out of the four completed singles matches, with sophomore Blaire Beatty securing the lone victory in straight sets (6-1) (7-5). Sophomores Grace Yurko and Emma Flanigan lost their unfinished matches. Stitt lost the first singles match after a 6-3 first set and a 7-6 second set.
“We are all so proud of each other and what success we’ve had throughout the whole season,” Beatty said.
Freshman Reagan Dougherty dropped a 6-2 first set and a 6-3 second set to Allegheny’s Chanel Brun, while junior Iris Kiehl rounded out the singles matches with a 6-4, 6-1 loss.
The Gators also earned the doubles point with victories in the first and second matches, despite an unfinished second match. Allegheny won both matches 6-1, one against Yurko and Flanigan and the other against Kiehl and Beatty.
Stitt and Yurko earned All-Tournament Team honors.
The team finished 10-1 in the regular season and 11-2 overall following the tournament. Its only losses were to Allegheny in the regular season and in the final.
The Wolverines dominated nearly every other team, earning seven wins 7-0. They also posted the longest winning streak (eight) since the 2018-19 team, which had 12.
“I think one of the main reasons why we experienced such good success is because of our energy during practice,” Stitt said. “Each teammate was intentional with encouraging their fellow teammates and working hard each practice. Having this mentality day in and day out allowed us to pull out some of the tougher wins this season.”
Beatty added to this sentiment.
“The girls on the team have such an incredible work ethic, putting their all into every practice and even outside of practice,” she said. “They take great care of their bodies, their minds and their spirits. Also, our coach plays a major role in the mental aspect of the team. She is so encouraging and works with us to make us the best possible team we can be.”
Out of 11 completed singles matches each, Stitt and Yurko won seven and 10, respectively, throughout the season. Dougherty and Kiehl earned 10 victories out of 12 singles matches, and Flanigan posted nine wins out of 10 matches. Beatty posted the team’s best winning percentage with 11 victories out of 12 contests.
The Wolverines will return to action in the spring for a shorter season.
“I had so much support this season from my coach, who is always there with me on and off the court, my team, who lifts me up when I’m down and always makes sure that I know that they are right there with me, and my mom, who has been a support through my entire tennis career,” Beatty said.
