Anderson Takes Down Reigning HCAC Champion Hanover

The Anderson University women's tennis team started its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) season by taking down the reigning conference champion Hanover Panthers with a 6-3 victory on Saturday at the AU Tennis Courts.
 
"We are really happy with [Saturday's win]," Coach Bryant Beard said. "Not because we won, but how we won."
 
The Ravens currently hold a 4-1 record with a 1-0 HCAC record. Hanover is 0-1 overall with a 0-1 conference record.
 
Katrina Berban (Seguin, Texas/New Braunfels)/Jasmine Blair (Clearwater, Fla./Homeschool/Largo) (5-0) rallied back to earn an 8-6 victory against Meghan Farrell/Lizzy Katzenberger (0-3) at No. 1 doubles. Anna Creech (Richmond, Ind./Richmond)/Jordyn Roper (Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (3-1) also scored an 8-3 victory against Claire Goff/Maddie Shannon (0-4) at No. 3 doubles as the Ravens completed doubles with a 2-1 lead.
 
"We fought back from being down at No. 1 doubles to help start us with two points."
 
In singles, Creech (3-2) and Roper (5-0) picked up early victories. Creech took a 6-1, 6-0 win against Goff (0-3) at No. 5 singles while Roper put together a 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) victory against Shannon (0-3) at No. 6 singles.
 
Blair (4-1) scored the victory at No. 3 singles that was the match-clinching point. After winning the first set against Lizzy Katzenberger (0-3) in a 7-5 decision, Blair avoided entering the third set by winning the second-set tiebreaker 7-3 to earn a 7-6 win in the second set.
 
"Jasmine pulled in the deciding point and it wasn't easy for her. I know she was feeling pain in her back, but she didn't want to let her team down and she kept fighting."
 
Berban (5-0) faced off with two-time reigning HCAC MVP Cami Jones (0-3) at No. 1 singles. Jones won the first set 6-4, but Berban took the second set 7-5. Since Anderson had already clinched the match, the third set was decided on a tie breaker round instead of a full set, which Berban won 10-4.
 
Hanover recorded its points in doubles when Jones/Mia Katzenberger (1-2) earned an 8-5 victory against Allison Newman (Greenwood, Ind./Greenwood)/Claire Miller (Indianapolis, Ind./Homeschool) (2-2) at No. 2 doubles. Farrell (1-2) claimed a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Newman (1-3) in No. 2 singles while Mia Katzenberger (2-2) posted a 6-3, 6-1 win against Miller (3-2) in No. 4 singles.
 
The Ravens host Trine University (0-3) on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the AU Tennis Courts.