GVSU find doubles success during weekend play

By JUDSON RODRIGUEZ

Updated: October 14, 2012, 7:55 PM

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Freshman Claire Cooper sends the ball back across the net earlier this season

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With foul weather outside, the Grand Valley State University women’s tennis team went inside at Ramblewood Tennis Club to finish up their weekend of matches, defeating Ashland University 6-3 on Sunday.

Senior Morgan Carney led the Lakers with a 6-3, 6-4 win in singles and an 8-3 win in doubles with partner, junior Niki Shipman. Shipman won her singles match as her opponent retired with an injury. Freshman Calire Cooper also gave a very strong performance in a 6-2, 6-4 win.

After this weekend’s promising results, coach John Black said that he thinks the team is ready to make a run in the GLIAC tournament.

“We played very well this weekend,” Black said. “I think that they’re very well prepared to play next weekend and then again at the GLIAC tournament.”

GVSU is 10-2 overall and 9-2 in conference play this year, dropping matches to Wayne State and Northwood. They will have another chance to avenge those losses in the GLIAC tournament.

“We’ll most likely finish up number three in conference play so we’ll probably be matched up with Wayne State again,” Black said.

The Lakers have matches at Hillsdale and Findlay this Friday, before they enter tournament play the following week. Shipman says the team is prepared to play but the matches coming up are a good way to get ready for the tournament.

“Everyone has been stepping up their game since the beginning of the season and having as many matches as we had this weekend gets you match ready,” Shipman said.

Shipman has a tough tune-up this weekend at Hillsdale, as she’ll be matched up against senior Brittany Parks, currently fourth in GLIAC No. 1 singles play with seven wins.

“I have a game-plan for this weekened already,” Shipman said. “She’s a very good player who can make adjustments and she’s definitely one of the best in the GLIAC so it’ll be a good measure of where I’m at.”

Senior Katelyn Schaffer, who dropped a tough doubles match 8-5 on Sunday, said the team is focused as they enter the homestretch of the season.

“Today, we just weren’t closing like we normally do but I think that looking at the team’s play I think we are ready for the GLIAC tournament, we’re getting better every day,” said Schaffer.

Schaffer and partner Lexi Rice battled through diversity but couldn’t pull out the win against a tough Ashland duo.

“For the most part that (doubles) match was evenly contested it was just that Ashland was a little bit better but I think we’re where we need to be,” Black said.

Black said that the most important things will be to get the team healthy and rested before tournament play.

“What’s really been hurting us isn’t our play,” Black said. ”We’ve had a few people get sick and there have been a few injuries kind of holding us back.”

Schaffer said no matter what happens this year going forward, her experience on the team has been an awesome experience.

“I really don’t have the words to explain how I feel,” she said. ”It’s been five years for me because I red-shirted and I guess I really can’t believe its coming to an end.”

The Lakers will split up the team and travel to play both Hillsdale and the University of Findlay on Friday Oct. 19.

Published October 14, 2012 Sports