ST. LOUIS - On a blindingly sunny afternoon here Wednesday afternoon, Webster University faced their first St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent of the spring - Fontbonne University. Still riding the momentum from their strong spring break trip to Hilton Head, S.C., the Gorloks went into the match focused and ready to win.
In Wednesday's SLIAC opener, the Gorloks posted a 9-0 victory over Fontbonne at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center. In the match, Webster gave up only six games over the nine matches played and improved to 5-3 overall on the season and 1-0 in the SLIAC.
In doubles action against the Griffins, senior
Monica Behrle (Atlanta, Ga./East Paulding) and junior
Madison Watts (Rogersville, Mo./Logan Rogersville) continued their winning streak at No. 1 with an 8-1 win over Mariana Rogers and Jordan Sampson. Behrle and Watts improved to 9-2 on the season and the duo has now won seven consecutive matches.
"It's always fun to play Fontbonne," Watts said. "It's a good match to start conference play on."
At the No. 2 spot, senior
Jesse Steffens-Willis (St. Louis, Mo./Rockwood Summit) and junior
Sara Rice (Mahomet, Il./Mahomet-Seymour) also posted an 8-1 win and freshmen
Maggie Federhofer (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran South) and
Adri Ventimiglia (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette Catholic) earned an 8-0 win at the No. 3 spot.
The Gorloks carried their strong strokes into singles play as Watts at No. 2, Rice at No. 3, and senior
Robin Bolme (Smyrna, Tn./Blackman) at No. 5 all won in straight sets by identical, 6-0, 6-0 scores.
Behrle at No. 1 and Steffens-Willis at No. 4 each gave up one game in their first set and then closed out in the second set for a 6-1, 6-0 wins.
At the No. 6 spot, freshman
Liz Gerger (St. Louis, Mo./Francis Howell Central) was tough out on the court like the rest of her team, she gave up only two games in the first set and none in the second to earn a 6-2, 6-0 win.
Steffens-Willis felt great about the day's win.
"I loved watching our team close out points and get the sweep," Steffens-Willis said following the match.
The Gorloks were proud of their performance on the court Wednesday and were already looking forward to their next conference opponent, Greenville.
"This week really helped me develop as a player," said Gerger. "I feel ready to take on Greenville next Tuesday."
Webster will return to action next Tuesday, March 27 as they host Greenville University for a 6 p.m. SLIAC match at the Webster Groves Tennis Center at the Webster Groves Recreational Complex.
