ANGOLA, Ind. - With the match tied 3-3 and a pair of close matches still on the court, the Saint Mary's tennis team found a way to come away with a gritty 6-3 win over Trine on Wednesday evening.

 

Kathleen McLeod and Evelyn Demblans-Dechans pulled away early in an 8-2 three doubles win for the Belles. Alayna Campbell and Emma Kealy worked to distance themselves in what was a tight one doubles match early before prevailing 8-4. Lucy Chamberlin and Leah Hosang went back-and-forth throughout their two doubles match but ultimately came up short in an 8-4 setback.

 

Chamberlin retired from her match at one singles, but Evelyn Demblans-Dechans gave the Belles a 3-2 overall lead with a quick 6-1, 6-1 win at six singles. The Thunder pulled even after Leah Hosang ended on the short side of a 6-2, 6-2 final at four singles. Alayna Campbell then put Saint Mary's ahead 4-3 with a 6-3, 6-3 straight-set win at two singles. Both Kathleen McLeod's five singles match and Emma Kealy's three singles match were tight from start to finish with the team result on the line. McLeod captured the first set 6-2 but fell 6-0 in the second stanza to force a third set, and the senior broke through halfway through that set to capture a 6-3 win and clinch the team victory. Kealy and her opponent had each other on the ropes from start to finish. The freshman dropped the opener 6-4 and trailed 4-3 in the second set before putting together a massive run to win the set 6-4. Kealy carried that momentum over into the third set to take a 6-1 win to close out the 6-3 team victory. 

 

The Belles (14-2, 4-2 MIAA) have a break from conference play this Friday as they travel to crosstown foe Bethel for a 3:00 p.m. match against the Pilots.

 

 

Saint Mary's College 6, Trine University 3
 Singles competition
1. Eva Morales (TRINE-W) def. Lucy Chamberlin (SMC) 5-1, retired
2. Alayna Campbell (SMC) def. Bekah Trent (TRINE-W) 6-3, 6-3
3. Emma Kealy (SMC) def. Elina Locane (TRINE-W) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
4. Emilee Bassett (TRINE-W) def. Leah Hosang (SMC) 6-2, 6-2
5. Kathleen McLeod (SMC) def. Alexis Maloney (TRINE-W) 6-2, 0-6, 6-3
6. Evelyn Demblans-Dechans (SMC) def. Bailey Pelliccia (TRINE-W) 6-1, 6-1

 Doubles competition
1. Alayna Campbell/Emma Kealy (SMC) def. Bekah Trent/Elina Locane (TRINE-W) 8-4
2. Emilee Bassett/Alexis Maloney (TRINE-W) def. Lucy Chamberlin/Leah Hosang (SMC) 8-4
3. Kathleen McLeod/Evelyn Demblans-Dechans (SMC) def. Eva Morales/Lizzie Welker (TRINE-W) 8-2

Match Notes:
Saint Mary's College 14-2, 4-2 MIAA
Trine University 10-4, 2-1 MIAA
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,6,4,2,5,3)