Spring Break
Record-breaking tennis seasons end with second round losses in Minnesota
Barnes' teams leave nationals with heads high
Ryan Krueger
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Sports
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The women's team earned an automatic bid into the tournament after winning the WIAC Final Four May 2. They also earned a first round bye.
However, after a year of more ups than downs, the 'Hawks (23-4) lost to Wheaton College, 5-0, on Friday.
The loss was increasingly frustrating as the 'Hawks had defeated Wheaton on the road, 5-4, in the fall season.
"It was really disappointing just because the last time we played them, we had a really close match, and we pulled it out," freshman Kalla Schaefer said. "It's just frustrating that we lost to them this time instead of the other way around."
The 'Hawks' loss marks the end of the breakthrough season by Schaefer. She became the first UW-Whitewater tennis player, man or woman, to win 30 matches over the course of a season.
While the 2008-09 campaign is over for the team, Schaefer's season is not. Schaefer (32-6), the ITA Midwest Regional champion in the fall, has been selected as one of 32 individuals to participate in the NCAA individual singles tournament in Lawrenceville, Ga. The tournament is May 22-24.
Despite the loss, the 'Hawks returned to the NCAA tournament for the second straight year and have much to look forward to next year.
"We had an excellent season," Schaefer said. "We have a couple new recruits coming in and a lot of players returning next year. I feel like if we all work over the summer, we could hopefully do even better next year."
The men's tennis team had the unfortunate privilege of playing Gustavus Adolphus, who were playing on their home courts in St. Peter, Minn., in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
After their fifth consecutive season of 20 or more victories, the 'Hawks (21-8) lost, on Saturday, to Gustavus Adolphus, 5-0. UW-Whitewater defeated UW-Eau Claire, 5-0, in the first round.
The 'Hawks had already lost to Gustavus earlier in the season, 9-0, again in St. Peter, but was hoping for better results this time.
The loss marks the end of senior Alex Lowe's tennis career. Combining both singles and doubles play, Lowe has won more matches (168) than any other player in school history. Lowe has either played at No. 1 or 2, with doubles matches mixed in, throughout his four years of playing.
With the additions of new players and some returners, the 'Hawks will look to come back strong next season and compete for their possible sixth straight 20 win season.
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