Metro mauls Mavs
by Elin Otter
The Metropolitan
(Photo by Danny Holland - The Metropolitan)
Senior Jess Meares, left, hits a backhand during the 8-1 doubles victory over Mesa State April 16 at Gates Tennis Center. The women's tennis team finished its regular season 10-6, 6-0 RMAC.
With wins last weekend over Mesa State and CSU-Pueblo, Metro women's tennis (10-6, 6-0 RMAC) clinched its third straight regular season RMAC title Sunday, April 18, which could catapult the team into the conference tournament with great confidence.
On Friday, April 16, the Roadrunners shut down Mesa State (7-4, 4-1 RMAC) 9-0.
"I was nervous in the beginning," said team captain Mercedes Pollmeier. "But halfway into doubles, I felt we could do this."
Pollmeier proved to be right as she and her partner at the No. 2 spot, senior Natalie Ilott, gunned down the Mavericks' Jennifer Smith and Drisa Carrizo 8-0. The Roadrunners served well and made good returns, forcing their opponents into mistakes.
"We played really smart tennis," Ilott said. "We didn't try to do too much."
In singles play, senior Jess Meares (No. 2) played aggressive and won her match against Morgan Sawyer 6-2, 7-5.
"I came out playing as I was in doubles," Meares said about the first set. "I didn't let her in."
In the second set, Meares struggled with hard-hitting Sawyer, and was down 5-1.
"I got tentative with my shot," Meares said. "My footwork wasn't too good. I got tired."
Eventually, Meares played smarter.
"She (Sawyer) had a weak forehand, so I tried to attack that more," Meares said.
At the No. 4 position, Ilott won her match against Carrizo 6-0, 6-1.
"I put pressure on her by coming into the net," Ilott said. "I'm pleased with how I played."
Since the season started, Ilott said she plays more consistent.
"Before, I was aggressive at some points and relaxed at some," Ilott said.
"Now, I play aggressive at every ball."
Aggressiveness is something the whole team is talking about. In practice, the Roadrunners work on little-point matches to keep everybody competitive, Ilott said. Head coach Dave Alden said they also work on approaching the net in doubles play.
On Sunday, April 16, Metro beat CSU-Pueblo 8-1. The only loss came at the No. 4 position, where Ilott lost to the Thunderwolves' Marissa Brown 4-6, 4-6.
The Roadrunners have compiled an impressive 46-4 record out of all individual conference matches they have played this season.
Alden is very proud of how his team has played. He said his four seniors, Pollmeier, Ilott and Beck and Jess Meares, have had a very commendable season so far.
Alden also praised No. 3 doubles and No. 5 and No. 6 singles and said they were a huge part of the team's success.
"You have to have production on all spots," Alden said. "You can't rely on three or four players."
Since the Roadrunners are the No. 1 seed in the RMAC Tournament, they get a bye in the first round. The semifinal is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Friday in Grand Junction against the winner of the No. 4 and No. 5 seed match.
Who that will be is not yet determined, as the rest of the conference matches are not finished.
If Metro wins, they will play the championship match at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
The 'Runners will enter the playoffs as favorites and they look forward to it.
"Bring on the conference!" Ilott said. |
