MISHAWAKA, Ind. - The Saint Mary's tennis team battled back from three separate deficits to capture a thrilling 5-4 win over Carthage on Saturday at the South Bend Racquet Club.

 

Alayna Campbell and Evelyn Demblans-Dechans were on the short side of an 8-0 final at one doubles. Emma Kealy and Anna Gardner preserved an early lead at two doubles. The pair held a narrow 5-4 lead before Kealy held serve, the pair broke serve, and Gardner held serve to capture an 8-4 win. Hannah Gerner and Grace Clearwater had a back-and-forth duel at three doubles. The duo flipped a 4-3 deficit into a 5-4 lead as each game was tight from start to finish. Down the stretch, however, the pair came up just shy in an 8-6 nailbiter.

 

In singles play, Campbell fell in a 6-1, 6-0 final at the top flight. Evelyn Demblans-Dechans battled her way to a 6-3, 6-3 win at three singles for the Belles. Hannah Gerner powered her way to a 6-1, 6-3 victory at six singles to tie the overall team score at 3-3. Katie Hunter was on the short side of a 6-2, 6-3 final at five singles despite having several points decided by more than 20 shots. 

 

Needing both singles matches still on the court, the Belles came through. After falling in the opening set by a tight 6-4 score, Anna Gardner flipped a 4-1 deficit, broke serve multiple times, and took a 6-4 second set to force a decisive third frame at four singles. The freshman dropped the first game but again came back to ultimately prevail 6-3 to tie the overall match score at 4-4.  Emma Kealy's two singles match proved to be the determining competition. The sophomore came from behind to force a tiebreaker in her first set and won that tiebreak by a narrow 7-5 score. The second set was just as tight as the first, and Kealy came through in a big way down the stretch to take it 7-5 and capture the team win for the Belles.

 

In exhibition play, Genevieve Brawner and Olivia Erickson came up short in an 8-1 doubles match. Grace Clearwater fell by an 8-1 score while Michaela Hauer shouldered a tough 8-1 setback in singles play.

 

The Belles (3-4) host St. Francis (Ind.) on Wednesday, February 28 at Lakeland Athletic Club starting at 7:30 p.m.