Vikings fend off DAC rival Wolves for win

Updated: May 5, 2011 11:07PM

MICHIGAN CITY — The pockets of rainfall during warmups was one indication of tension.

Of course, when conference rivals compete, tension is going to mount. And Thursday’s meeting between the previously undefeated Michigan City girls tennis team and Duneland Conference foe Valparaiso, was nothing less than a battle.

The gusty wind and precipitation almost halted the match before it could start, but both coaches allowed play. And through a compilation of close sets, Valparaiso handed the Wolves their first loss, 4-1.

Nothing came easy for the Vikings (8-2, 4-1 DAC).

While the Vikings earned victories at No. 1 doubles (when Ali Hauser and Lauren Kammerer won 6-4, 6-3) and No. 3 singles (Katie McDonald’s 6-1, 6-3 win), both points were tightly contested.

“We knew it was going to be a great match and this is one we were looking forward to,” Vikings coach Tim Shideler said. “Michigan City always has great depth and is a well-coached team.”

The trend of tight matches continued into No. 1 singles. MC’s Brooke Foltz defeated Kelly Kennedy, 6-3, 7-5. To add to the intrigue, last weekend at the Highland Doubles Tournament, Foltz and No. 2 singles player Lena Carlson beat the freshman Kennedy and her sister Caitlin (who plays No. 2 singles) in the second round of the invite.

“I had to make sure all my shots were in and go one point at a time,” said Foltz, who rebounded from an 0-3 deficit to begin the second set.

“We knew coming in, they would try to get us back. That’s how we knew it would be a close match.”

That assessment was spot on. Because still looming was Caitlin Kennedy vs. Carlson. And after Kennedy won a 7-6 (7-4) first set, she sealed MC’s (7-1, 4-1) fate with her 7-5 second set.

“I kind of had an idea of how the girl I played hits and it helped,” Kennedy said. “She has a lot of top spin and I was ready for it.”

In one more strenuous matches, the Vikings’ No. 2 doubles team of Amanda Stolarz and Sonya Schaffer hung on for the 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 final point.

“Overall close, we had our chances, but we just didn’t take them,” Wolves coach Norm Bruemmer said.

The coach is taking a positive out of the loss.

“You’ve got to have those experiences and you know perhaps what you did wrong.”

With Chesterton (who beat Valparaiso and faces City next Thursday) being the only undefeated conference team, it could be a tight race for the DAC crown.

“I love the Duneland Conference just because the teams are all good competition, overly balanced. I feel fortunate to be in it,” Shideler said.

Valparaiso 4, Michigan City 1

Singles -- Brooke Foltz (MC) def. Kelly Kennedy, 6-3, 7-5; Caitlin Kennedy (V) def. Lena Carlson, 7-6 (7-4) 7-5; Katie McDonald (V) def. Alante Wright, 6-1; 6-3.

Doubles -- Ali Hauser and Lauren Kemmerer (V) def. Ashleigh Ellenwood and Lauren Palmer, 6-4, 6-3; Amanda Stolarz and Sonya Schaffer (V) def. Laura Holloway and Ali Langowski, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6.

Records -- Valparaiso 8-2, 4-1; Michigan City 7-1, 4-1.

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