Tennis expectations fall short

The women's tennis team had high expectations entering the ITA/Omni Hotels Midwest Regional Championships Oct. 24. \nThe highest expectations rested on the shoulders of the nationally ranked doubles team of seniors Karie Schlukebir and Linda Tran. However, the team's hopes fell short in this major tournament that sees the top two finishers in singles and the doubles winner advance to the Nationals in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 7-10. \nSchlukebir, who was placed in the 56-player main draw of the singles bracket, won her opening round match by defeating Wisconsin's sophomore Lindsay Martin in a tough three-set match, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5. However, Schlukebir fell in the second round to Eastern Michigan's senior Rebecca Hawkins 6-2, 6-4.\nTran joined Schlukebir in the 56-player main draw in the singles bracket, and also won her opening match by defeating Western Michigan's junior Frederika Girsang in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2. After her win over Girsang, Tran was then defeated by Northwestern's freshman Jamie Peisel 6-3, 6-1 in the second round.\nFreshman Sarah Batty was the only freshman for IU to play in the 56-person main draw in the singles bracket. However, her 6-4, 6-1 setback to Michigan's sophomore Michelle DaCosta ended her hopes to compete in Dallas at Nationals on Nov. 7-10.\nOne surprise for the Hoosiers was junior Martina Grimm, who qualified for the singles main draw after she made it through the qualifying round. Despite her success, Grimm was eliminated in the opening round of the main draw by Iowa's Cassie Haas 7-5, 6-1.\nThe Hoosiers fared much better in doubles competition. Schlukebir and Tran, the tournament's top seed in doubles, made it to the round of eight. They won their first three matches, their last over Depaul's senior Szilvia Keleman and sophomore Marina Parashkevova 8-6. The duo saw their chances at a Regional Doubles title fade when they lost to Northwestern's junior Jessica Rush and senior Marine Piriou 8-3 in the quarterfinals.\nBatty and Grimm were as equally impressive as their high-ranked teammates. The pair won their first three doubles matches, including an exciting 8-4 victory over Northwestern's Peisel and junior Ruth Barnes. Rising above their expectations, Batty and Grimm were beaten by Illinois' junior Jennifer McGaffigan and senior Michelle Webb 9-7 in a very close match.\nThe two doubles teams were the Hoosiers' last chance at a Regional Championship in singles and doubles.\nThe other Hoosiers who competed in the tournament were freshman Sophie Rychlik and junior Dominika Walterova. The two both suffered first round losses in the qualifying draw of the singles bracket.