CHICAGO – Celebration time for the Blue Angels. Mount Mary University won their sixth dual match of the season over Roosevelt University 5-4. Today's match is the second contest between the schools, and was a stark contrast to the 7-2 match in favor of the Lakers from 2012.
Finally, the weather allowed the Blue Angels to play their eighth dual match of the year. Two straight contest were called during doubles play due to rain, but today the Blue Angels had their shot at tying the regular season win record.
As much intensity as a 5-4 match can give, the added excitement of a record can make the greatest athletes lose focus. MMU was on target today against a very deep Roosevelt University (3-2). The doubles matches have been the issue against the tough teams this year, in both losses MMU has been swept 3-0 in doubles. Even during the rain outs, the Blue Angels knew that had to be the focus to get the sixth win, being tied 1-1 with Alverno in doubles, and leading in two of the three doubles matches against MSOE.
Today was a different tune from the two losses. MMU knew it had to compete early in the match to be able to be hang with the tough Lakers team, and they did. Andrea Monacelli (So./Sussex, Wis.) and Nina Her (Sr./Brown Deer, Wis.) took the second flight doubles 8-6, then Brooke Slamka (Jr./Racine, Wis.) and Sydney Dahlstrom (Jr./Marquette, Mich.), who have been recently paired together, won 8-5. Slamka and Dahlstrom have been doubled up since the Alverno rain out, the team won their first doubles match together, and the chemistry continued as they were ahead while the MSOE match was called.
The reshuffling of the lineup has been the shot in the arm the Blue Angels have needed to get on a positive swing going into the final week. The singles matches seemed to feed off the great play of the doubles. Ana Mercado (So./Grafton, Wis.) has been 5-2 in singles matches this year, she continued her success as she dominated in the second flight singles 6-2, 6-1. Slamka continued the success in her match winning 6-3, 6-1 and adding to her incredible singles record 5-1 officiallly.
Coach Tom Troast "Andrea Monacelli takes to the court with the match tied at 4-4. Wins four singles to give us the day." He continued his amazement with his team, "A great win for us, even beyond the record stuff, Roosevelt is a talented deep team. Each match was simply a great battle."
The lone senior Nina Her was a definite boost to not only the team's play this season, but the morale as well. Her's aggressive play on the court made Nina a versatile player to stick at any place in the lineup. The easy going Her, was a good leader, and a positive hard working doubles player.
The Blue Angels finish 6-2 on the season, with two unfinished games called for bad weather. Most Blue Angels faithful will tell you that MMU would have broken that record, but the season put together this year was remarkable nonetheless. From the top to the bottom of the lineup card, the team has fought hard to continue their success both during games and at practice. Congratulations Blue Angels on a terrific year!
