Story by Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College women's tennis team clinched a share of is first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title since 2007 defeating Albion 7-2 Saturday.
"We have had a great season with some great results," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mark Murphy said after his Gatorade bath. "Sometimes the most difficult thing to do is get over that final hump. We did that today against a good Albion team."
Sophomore Ania Latala and freshman Sabrina Dass gave K its first point winning third doubles 8-2. Senior Kelsey Moran and junior Olivia Bouchard won second doubles 8-5.
Senior Jenna Riehl and sophomore Sarah Woods were up 6-5 at first doubles but lost the last three games to Katie Blumberg and Irene Chen.
Leading 2-1 after doubles, Dass defeated Heather Vogt 6-1, 6-0 at fourth singles while Bouchard beat Christina Khim 6-2, 6-0 at sixth singles. Woods clinched the match and the share of the title winning first singles 6-2, 6-0.
"Olivia [Bouchard] and Sabrina [Dass] played great matches today," said Murphy. "They have been solid for us all year long."
Latala won fifth singles 6-3, 6-4 and Moran won a three-setter at third singles 6-4, 3-6, 10-7. Riehl dropped second singles to Blumberg 6-3, 7-5.
Kalamazoo improves to 13-4 on the season and 7-0 in MIAA play. The Hornets look to win the conference outright for the first time since 1996 on April 26 at Saint Mary's (Ind.). The match is slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.