CHAMPS AGAIN: Women's Tennis Soars to Five-Peat OAC Sweep

5/8/2021 6:26:00 PM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Women's Tennis won the OAC crown for the 5th straight season.

Box Score MASON, Ohio --They did it again!

For the fifth straight season, John Carroll University Women's Tennis locked down the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship.

The Blue Streaks bested Otterbein, 5-3, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on Saturday, remaining undefeated in 2021.

In winning the OAC hardware, the Blue Streaks secured the five-peat sweep, following up a dramatic win for Men's Tennis earlier in the afternoon. And importantly, both the men's and the women's tennis teams punched tickets to next week's NCAA Tournament.

"This was very exciting for us. With Covid, we didn't get to prepare as much for this season," said Head Coach Shaun Keenan. "Heading into the season, I wasn't sure where we were. It's so exciting after a year off to steady the ship and keep winning. Everyone is thrilled. Now we hope to keep on going."

Making it all the sweeter is the fact that the Blue Streaks did it in a year dominated by COVID-19. Despite all of the obstacles in their way, the Blue Streaks captured the crown, yet another golden honor for the program's filled trophy shelves.

Doubles competition opened the afternoon with no lack of flair. Alyssa Krupp and Mia Zivkovic did their usual damage at No. 2 doubles, as well. The freshman-senior duo catapulted to an 8-5 triumph, finishing first.

Megan Reese and Skye Harwood paired up like usual at No. 1 doubles and worked well together, as they always do. The veterans dispatched their foes with an 8-4 win, pushing the JCU lead to 2-0.

"Megan is getting better and better for us," said Keenan. "With her helping to lead the way, we have a good shot at continuing the streak next year."

At No. 3 doubles, Jaclyn Voss and Emily Day found themselves deadlocked in a great battle with Rachel Ferguson and Julia Gillin of the Cardinals. In a rare defeat, Voss and Day just barely suffered a loss, falling 8-7. With the victory, Otterbein slimmed its deficit to 2-1.

Zivkovic did wonderful work at No. 3 singles. The reigning OAC Women's Tennis Player of the Week rollicked to a 6-3, 6-0 victory in impressive fashion. The first-year Blue Streak pushed the JCU advantage to 3-1.

"Mia was excellent today," Keenan said. "Mia is showing us what she's made of."

But then Otterbein made a spirited comeback. Erin Storrer, a dynamic player for the Cardinals, dealt the Blue Streaks a loss at No. 1 singles. Reese suffered in a rare loss, 6-1, 6-3. Voss then fell, as well, in a 6-1, 6-2 fashion to Ferguson.

The Blue Streaks got back on track with a win at No. 6 singles. Day got revenge on Gillin after the loss in doubles, firing past her foe with a critical 6-2, 6-1 defeat.

"Emily has really come on as of late for us," said Keenan. "The last two weeks, she's been a different kind of player. She'll be important for us next year, too."

And then, Skye Harwood provided the deciding blow for the Blue Streaks. In fitting fashion, the team leader penned a 6-4, 6-2, a swan song for the senior and another OAC championship. Alyssa Krupp was close to winning it, too, as the senior recovered from a 6-1 set loss to win set two, 6-0, and led set three, 4-0, at the time when Harwood clinched it.

"I wondering which senior would win it for us," said Keenan. "It's cool that they were going head-to-head to see who'd win. That was fun."

The Blue Streaks' fifth straight OAC crown propels them into the NCAA Tournament with an automatic qualification. John Carroll will learn its next foe on May 10, during the 2021 Division III selection show.

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