Following a 2-1 road trip, Saint Mary's will try to continue its recent winning ways with its first home match in ten days against Adrian College.
The Belles (10-6, 3-2 MIAA) are winners of eight of their past 11 matches, due in large part to their strong singles play. This strength was evident in their last match against Alma College April 12. After losing two of three doubles matches, the Belles dominated singles play, with all six players tallying wins. In addition, the Belles singles' players did not lose a single set to Alma.
Saturday's opponent, Adrian College (5-9, 2-4), is headed in the opposite direction than the Belles in the standings after dropping three straight contests in conference play, including an 8-1 road defeat to MIAA foe Calvin College Thursday.
However, Bulldogs' junior Sarah Brooks, who normally plays No. 5 singles, will pose a challenge with her 8-6 record, as she leads Adrian in singles wins. Brooks' likely opponent will be Belles' senior Kate Grabarek.
Brooks has also been dominant in No. 3 doubles play when paired with sophomore partner Jordenne Ferenczi, as the duo holds a 9-2 record, which includes the Bulldogs' only match win against Calvin.
However, the Belles' No. 3 doubles tandem of senior Jessica Kosinski and freshman Mary Catherine Faller has been their most consistent doubles' pair in what has been the team's overall weakness. The pair is 6-1 on the season.
The Bulldogs' weaknesses this season have been magnified in No. 1 and No. 2 singles and doubles play, as the squad is a mere 12-44 in those categories. In No. 1 singles play, Saint Mary's senior Jillian Hurley will take on Adrian senior Katelyn Simcina, while Kosinski will face Adrian junior Shelby Kruszewski in No. 2 singles.
With a win against the Bulldogs, The Belles will guarantee themselves a winning regular season record for the second straight season. Following Saturday's match, the team only has three matches remaining before the MIAA tournament commences on Friday, April 29.
Play begins Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Saint Mary's tennis courts.
