April 15, 2012
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Facing its second match in three days, the 19th-ranked University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team concluded the regular season with a 6-1 victory over Louisville Sunday at the Bass Rudd Tennis Center. The Irish conclude the season with a record of 17-7 including a perfect 5-0 in BIG EAST play.
The Irish captured the doubles point for the 20th time in their 24 matches, sweeping away the Cardinals. The fifth-ranked duo of Kristy Frilling (Sidney, Ohio) and Shannon Mathews (Birmingham, Mich.) finished first, knocking off Mandy Brown and Julia Fellerhoff at the No. 1 court, 8-4. The victory moved the Irish pairing to 16-6 on the season.
Junior Chrissie McGaffigan (Davenport, Iowa) and sophomore Jennifer Kellner (Smithtown, N.Y.) clinched the point at No. 3, defeating Amelia Harris and Sarah Miller, 8-2. The win for the Irish pairing marked their team-leading 17th of the season. Sophomore Britney Sanders (Ontario, Calif.) and freshman Katherine White (Columbus, Ga.) finished off the sweep with an 8-6 decision over Manuela Velasquez and Rebecca Shine at the No. 2 court.
Sanders then got singles action off to a quick start, posting her team-best 18th dual win of the year after knocking off Brown (6-1, 6-3) at court three. Frilling, ranked 104th, then moved the Irish to match point after defeating Shine at No. 2 singles, 6-3, 6-2.
White, making her second consecutive start in the singles lineup, clinched the victory for the Irish at court six. The freshman defeated Harris, 6-2, 6-3, for her second straight victory and sixth overall on the dual season.
Notre Dame then moved the count to 6-0, with Kellner closing out Velasquez (1-6, 6-2, 6-3) at No. 4 before #54 Mathews closed out Fellerhoff (7-6, 6-0) at No. 1 for her third consecutive victory. The lone setback of the day came at No. 5 singles as McGaffigan lost a three-set contest to Miller, 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (11-9).
With the regular season now complete, Notre Dame prepares to defend its BIG EAST Championship as postseason play begins. First round action begins Thursday at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts in Tampa, Fla.
Notre Dame vs LouisvilleApr 15 at Louisville, Ky. (Bass Rudd Tennis Center)#19 Notre Dame 6, Louisville 1
Singles Competition1. #54 Shannon Mathews (ND) def. Julia Fellerhoff (UL) 7-6, 6-02. #104 Kristy Frilling (ND) def. Rebecca Shine (UL) 6-3, 6-23. Britney Sanders (ND) def. Mandy Brown (UL) 6-1, 6-34. Jennifer Kellner (ND) def. Manuela Velasquez (UL) 1-6, 6-2, 6-35. Sarah Miller (UL) def. Chrissie McGaffigan (ND) 6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (11-9)6. Katherine White (ND) def. Amelia Harris (UL) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles Competition:1. #5 Kristy Frilling/Shannon Mathews (ND) def. Mandy Brown/Julia Fellerhoff (UL) 8-42. Britney Sanders/Katherine White (ND) def. Manuela Velasquez/Rebecca Shine (UL) 8-63. Chrissie McGaffigan/Jennifer Kellner (ND) def. Amelia Harris/Sarah Miller (UL) 8-2
Match Notes:Louisville 11-9Notre Dame 17-7; National ranking #19Order of Finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,6,4,1,5)
–ND–