The Webster University women's tennis team played its second match of its spring break trip, beating Nazareth College (NY), 5-1, on March 13 in Hilton Head, SC.  With rain in the forecast, play started with singles to possibly decide a winner before it hit. The Gorloks went 5-1 in singles play, with rain starting right as doubles began, as the match was called.
 
Monica Behrle (JR., Atlanta, GA) and Stephanie Lass (JR., Lake Villa, IL) finished their matches quickly, both winning 6-2, 6-0, at #1 and #6, respectively. The other four singles matches were battles.  Sara Rice (SO., Mahomet, IL) at #2 and Madison Watts (SO., St. Louis, MO) at #3, both won their matches in nail-biting third set tie-breaks.
 
"I'm really proud of myself for staying mentally tough in a match that could have gotten the better of me," Rice said. "I played through the pain, and I loved watching Madison conquer her tiebreaker as well."
 
"It always feels good to win in a tie-breaker, but especially after coming back from the first set," continued Watts. "The fact Sara [Rice] and I both did shows the work we as a team are putting in this season."
 
Chelsea Foster (SR., St. Louis, MO) also had a tough match at #5. Almost every point was a long rally, but she stayed in every point and fought her way to victory. Her win was the last the Gorloks needed for the victory before it began to pour.
 
"I'm proud of myself for rising to the challenge of playing a new line in singles and through an injury," said Foster. "I push myself hard on the court to be a good role model for my team. We don't have to be the best, but we will always strive to be better than we were yesterday."
 
"It was great being able to see [Foster's] spunk and fire on the court in a match setting, instead of just practices," added Rice.
 
The victory brings them to 2-0 on the week and 3-4 on the year.  Webster plays Concordia University (WI) next on March 14, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).  Go Loks!
 
Webster University 5 Nazareth College 1

Singles
1. Behrle, Monica (WU) def. McCarthy, Jean (NC) 6-2, 6-0
2. Rice, Sara (WU) def. Friends, Allison (NC) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (12)
3. Watts, Madison (WU) def. Joyce, Marisa (NC) 2-6, 6-1, 1-0 (13)
4. Karstedt, Elizabeth (NC) def. Steffens, Willis, Jesse (WU) 7-6(3), 6-4
5. Foster, Chelsea (WU) def. Nadeau, Maelah (NC) 6-3, 6-2
6. Lass, Stephanie (WU) def. Burgos, Aliana (NC) 6-2, 6-0