NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The Saint Mary's tennis team fell to cross-town foe Bethel by a 7-2 score in the Belles' final home match of the season on Friday.

 

Meredith Heckert and Nikki Rust were recognized prior to the start of the match on what was their Senior Day, and while the match ultimately did not go in favor of the Belles, the energy and joy for the pair of players remained high throughout the afternoon.

 

Heckert and doubles partner Kalyn Borger were the first pair of the court as the duo captured a commanding 8-1 win at two doubles. Alayna Campbell and Lucy Chamberlin again competed much more closely than the scoreline would indicate in an 8-2 setback at one doubles. Nikki Rust and Kathleen McLeod were in their match set for set but fell just short in an 8-6 three doubles final.

 

Nikki Rust was on the short end of a 6-2 ,6-2 final at six singles. Alayna Campbell collected a win at two singles after the freshman one her first set 6-4 before her counterpart retired with Campbell ahead 3-1 in the second set. Meredith Heckert battled in a tight match at three singles before shouldering a hard-fought 7-5, 6-2 loss. Kalyn Borger fell in a competitive 6-2, 6-3 match at five singles. Lucy Chamberlin and Kathleen McLeod played marathon singles matches on the day. Chamberlin went to a tiebreaker in her one singles match but was edged late in a 5-7, 6-2, 10-7 final. McLeod, who was on the court for over two hours in her four singles contest, bounced back from a tough opening-set loss to take a decisive second set win. The junior, however, was narrowly defeated in a lengthy 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 match. 

 

The Belles now look ahead to the MIAA Tournament. Saint Mary's earned the No. 4 seed and will travel to No. 1 seed Hope on Thursday, May 5 for a 4:00 p.m. match.

 

 

Bethel University 7, Saint Mary's College 2
 Singles competition
1. Alexia Pena (BETHEL) def. Lucy Chamberlin (SMC) 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (10-7)
2. Alayna Campbell (SMC) def. Fatima Gutierrez (BETHEL) 6-4, 3-1, retired
3. Kyla Heckaman (BETHEL) def. Meredith Heckert (SMC) 7-5, 6-2
4. Layla Jojo (BETHEL) def. Kathleen McLeod (SMC) 6-2, 1-6, 7-5
5. Moana deSouzaMartins (BETHEL) def. Kalyn Borger (SMC) 6-2, 6-3
6. Saige Rinkenberger (BETHEL) def. Nikki Rust (SMC) 6-2, 6-2

 Doubles competition
1. Alexia Pena/Kyla Heckaman (BETHEL) def. Alayna Campbell/Lucy Chamberlin (SMC) 8-2
2. Meredith Heckert/Kalyn Borger (SMC) def. Fatima Gutierrez/Moana deSouzaMartins (BETHEL) 8-1
3. Saige Rinkenberger/Layla Jojo (BETHEL) def. Nikki Rust/Kathleen McLeod (SMC) 8-6

Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,2,3,5,1,4)
T-3:41  A-43