Hoosiers compete in Vanderbilt Invitational

The Hoosiers returned late Sunday evening after winning six of their nine singles matches and two out of their five doubles matches at the June Stewart Invitational in Nashville, Tenn. \nMaria Guerrerio, Stephanie Heller, Charlotte Martin, Alba Berdala, Brianna Williams and Erin Clark each won singles matches on Sunday. Guerreiro and Heller both ended the tournament with perfect 3-0 records.\nThe tournament offered several competitive teams for the Hoosiers, including Kentucky, Arizona State and Vanderbilt. \n“When we played those players, we got some good competition,” said IU coach Lin Loring. “We got to play good players more this tournament.”\nThose three teams will potentially be in the Top 20 come spring, Loring said. Despite the reputations of other schools in the tournament, Berdala affirmed her confidence in the Hoosiers’ ability to compete.\n“If we play well, we can be at the same level (as Kentucky, Arizona State and Vanderbilt),” Berdala said. “It gives us motivation to practice and play hard.”\nThe Hoosiers also took advantage of the tournament to tinker with their doubles combinations. \n“We got to experiment so much in doubles,” Loring said. “It was helpful to see the players play with different players. It was just valuable for the coaches to see players in different combinations.”\nFreshman Myriam Sopel said the coaches are still trying to figure out who plays best with whom, partly because there are so many new faces.\n“The coaches don’t know who can mix with who yet because they are not confident because there are four new freshmen,” Sopel said.\nBerdala, a veteran, agreed.\n“Doubles is very important because we have four freshmen, and we don’t know each other that well,” she said. “It’s a weak part of our team. If (the freshmen) learn what position they have on the team, then we will play well. They’re all really good players.” \nThe Hoosiers’ final tournament is coming soon. The team will compete in the Western Michigan Duals the weekend of Nov. 2 in Kalamazoo, Mich.\nBerdala stressed the importance of the last fall tournament. \n“The last tournament is the one you want to play the best in because you think how much you’ve improved since the first one,” Berdala said. “It’s the last chance to show your improvement.”\nAfter the conclusion of the fall tournament, coaches will be limited by the NCAA as to how much time they can spend with their players.\n“The most important thing we want is for each girl to know what to work on in November and December specifically on their own because we won’t be able to help them as much,” Loring said.\nFreshman Ekaterina Zapadalova was unable to compete after suffering a stress fracture in her foot. She will most likely be out for the next tournament as well.