Anderson Survives and Advances Past Earlham in HCAC Quarterfinals

The third-seeded Anderson University women's tennis team survived and advanced past sixth-seeded Earlham College by a score of 5-4 during Tuesday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) quarterfinal matchup at Highland Middle School in Anderson.

Earlham (5-14) jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the completion of doubles. The Quakers remained ahead of the Ravens (9-12) by a score of 4-3. After Gabby Hosier secured the point at No. 4 singles, Morgan Nation was the only player remaining in a 4-4 game. After falling 6-3 in the first set, Nation grinded out a 6-3 victory in the second set to force a full third-set tiebreaker. Nation then fought to a 6-2 victory in the third set to clinch match point for the Ravens, as well as an HCAC semifinal berth.

COACH SCOTT GREVE'S COMMENTS

[Tuesday] was one of the most stressful and incredible thrillers I have ever been a part of. Earlham has improved markedly during the past few weeks and I could tell by their performances that this was going to be a battle. Going down 2-1 in doubles is never where you want to be as a coach, but the ladies battled back in the midst of real adversity. Gabby Hosier, Ella Maiden and Kate Oberle gave us the momentum for Morgan Nation to pull out one of the gutsiest performances I have ever witnessed. It couldn't have happened to a better player. Morgan has struggled with several injuries this Spring as well as battling asthma. She delivered for our team in a huge way!

DOUBLES RESULTS

No. 1. Maddie Cherry/Elizabeth Hoff (Earlham) def. Ella Frantz/Megan Long (Anderson) 8-4

No. 2. Payton Dugan/Natalee McCann (Earlham) def. Ella Maiden/Morgan Nation (Anderson) 8-3

No. 3. Jenna Jenkins/Kate Oberle (Anderson) def. Madison Ruwersma/Sarah Tierney (Earlham) 8-0

SINGLES RESULTS

No. 1. Maddie Cherry (Earlham) def. Megan Long (Anderson) 6-2, 6-4

No. 2. Payton Dugan (Earlham) def. Ella Frantz (Anderson) 6-3, 6-1

No. 3. Morgan Nation (Anderson) def. Elizabeth Hoff (Earlham) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

No. 4. Gabby Hosier (Anderson) def. Natalee McCann (Earlham) 6-2, 6-3

No. 5. Ella Maiden (Anderson) def. Sarah Tierney (Earlham) 6-2, 6-3

No. 6. Kate Oberle (Anderson) def. Madison Ruwersma (Earlham) 6-2, 6-1

UP NEXT

Anderson takes on second-seeded Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (4-13) in the HCAC semifinals on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Nicholasville, Ky. at Top Seed Tennis Club.