2008 Woodie Awards
Women's Tennis clinches playoff birth, Men falter
Matthew Howard
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports
This past week the Muhlenberg Tennis program saw the rise of one of the teams and the fall of the other. The Men's Team lost both matches while the Women's Team won both and in the process, clinched a playoff birth.
On Wed., Apr. 16, the Mules hosted Franklin & Marshall, needing a win to clinch a playoff birth. Juniors Jenn Powell and Carly Rotfeld and freshman Caitie Druker all won both their singles and doubles matches to lead the Mules to a 7-2 victory and a post-season birth. After winning her first set, Druker fell behind 5-0 in the second set. Instead of giving in, she bore down and won the next seven games to take the match.
Knowing that they had secured a playoff birth did not affect the Mules' mindset for their next match. With a win against Washington on Apr. 18, the Mules would be the third seed in the upcoming playoffs. Freshman Danielle Winston overcame leg cramps to win her match 7-6 (8-6), 6-1. Druker also won her match in straight sets as the Mules edged Washington 5-4 to clinch the third seed. Their first playoff match is set for Fri., Apr. 25 against Swarthmore at Johns Hopkins.
The Men's Team lost both matches this past week. In doing so, they dropped their Centennial Conference finale and dropped their record to a respectable 8-6. On Tues., Apr. 15, the Mules were swept at home by Dickinson, 9-0. On Sat., Apr. 19, the Mules were able to scratch out only one victory, avoiding being swept by Gettysberg. Unfortunately, the Mules will have to wait till next year to earn a spot in the playoffs.
On Wed., Apr. 16, the Mules hosted Franklin & Marshall, needing a win to clinch a playoff birth. Juniors Jenn Powell and Carly Rotfeld and freshman Caitie Druker all won both their singles and doubles matches to lead the Mules to a 7-2 victory and a post-season birth. After winning her first set, Druker fell behind 5-0 in the second set. Instead of giving in, she bore down and won the next seven games to take the match.
Knowing that they had secured a playoff birth did not affect the Mules' mindset for their next match. With a win against Washington on Apr. 18, the Mules would be the third seed in the upcoming playoffs. Freshman Danielle Winston overcame leg cramps to win her match 7-6 (8-6), 6-1. Druker also won her match in straight sets as the Mules edged Washington 5-4 to clinch the third seed. Their first playoff match is set for Fri., Apr. 25 against Swarthmore at Johns Hopkins.
The Men's Team lost both matches this past week. In doing so, they dropped their Centennial Conference finale and dropped their record to a respectable 8-6. On Tues., Apr. 15, the Mules were swept at home by Dickinson, 9-0. On Sat., Apr. 19, the Mules were able to scratch out only one victory, avoiding being swept by Gettysberg. Unfortunately, the Mules will have to wait till next year to earn a spot in the playoffs.