Driven inside by the inclement weather, Dartmouth's women's tennis team defeated Colgate University 6-3 Saturday afternoon. The win, Dartmouth's first of the fall season, was a good warm up before next weekend's ITA Eastern Regional.
Dartmouth has two tough weeks ahead, competing in the ITA Eastern Regionals this coming weekend before the ECAC's the following weekend.
It was the first ever dual match between Colgate and Dartmouth. Coach Christine Kerr said Colgate had been trying to play Dartmouth for a number of years.
"Two three setters -- they're not to be taken forgranted," Kerr said. "We had to play well to win."
Dartmouth started out strong winning five of the six singles matches, led by number one singles player sophomore Tracy Lee. Lee defeated Colgate's Leslie Frank 6-0, 6-0.
Single players three through six followed Lee's example, bringing Dartmouth a commanding 5-1 lead. Number three player Kallie Buehler '97 was stretched to three sets, winning 6-7 (5), 6-0, 7-5. Number four Katie Kirkmire '98 overcame a pulled stomach to win in straight sets over Molly Stewart, 6-2, 6-4.
Lee and Buehler also won their doubles match at flight one, giving Dartmouth its last match and the six to three final score. Dartmouth, trying new doubles combinations, dropped the other two doubles matches.
Dartmouth and Colgate began the afternoon outside before being the rain forced them inside. Most of the matches had finished the first set. Captain Trudy Muller '96 said the change of courts make a big difference.
"It's a big change," Muller said. "The courts are faster and the lighting is different. We call it the 'Leverone Advantage.'"
Muller said the match was a "good warm up -- good confidence builder for next week's Easterns".
Kerr, who was pleased with the competitiveness of the matches in preparation for the ITA regionals, agreed.
Dartmouth, one of the eight unseeded teams at the 16 school invitational, will play two dual matches on Friday at Princeton. Kerr said the winner of the Eastern Regionals is usually the team from the East chosen to compete in the Indoor Nationals in February.
The tournament is also important for regional rankings.
