After reaching its highest ranking of the season, the Northwestern women’s tennis team hit what could be considered a low point.
The No. 12 Wildcats (13-4) climbed as high as No. 8 in the polls but proceeded to lose their next two matches.
The Cats were edged 4-3 by No. 14 Fresno State (11-2) on Wednesday and fell 5-2 to No. 11 California (11-2) on Saturday.
Both matches were played without senior Shannon Duffy – the Cats’ No. 3 singles player – who is out with mononucleosis.
“These were great matches,” coach Claire Pollard said. “We were right there with the other teams, even missing a great player. We were losing three-setters and playing in 95-degree heat (against Fresno State).”
Junior Lia Jackson said losing any member of the squad is problematic.
“It’s something that the team is going to have to deal with and adjust to,” said Jackson, who is ranked No. 53 in the nation. “We’ll each have to step up our play. People have to move up in the lineup.”
With Duffy sidelined, the Cats have turned to freshman Ruth Barnes.
Thrust into the fire, Barnes stumbled in NU’s two losses, falling to Sekita Grant of California 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 and Kelly Ramirez of Fresno State 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.
“It’s difficult for Ruth to step in,” Pollard said. “She hasn’t had the opportunity to get experience and has now had to play in our hardest two matches this year.”
Even the Cats’ hottest player had trouble over the weekend.
In the match against California, Marine Piriou was defeated for the first time this season, having gone 14-0 at No. 4 singles in dual matches. Bumped up to the No. 3 spot in Duffy’s absence, Piriou lost 6-0, 6-3 to Raquel Kops-Jones.
“Marine is probably the best No. 4 player in the nation,” Jackson said. “Marine could play anywhere (in the lineup) and be successful – it wasn’t just because she was playing No. 3. Throughout her streak she was leading by example, just simply taking care of her own matches.”
Jackson said the losses have made the Cats more confident and determined.
“We want to show that we’re a top 10 team and prove that we deserve the ranking,” Jackson said. “Neither of the teams demolished us. We were right there with them even without one of our top players.
“The more we’re challenged, the more we’re going to improve. We know that these are the types of teams that we’re going to have to beat to get to the final rounds of the NCAAs.”
Pollard said the two losses will provide experience for the players.
“It will help us down the road – we believe that we can beat teams of that caliber,” she said.
And NU is not finished with its toughest stretch of the season. The Cats face No. 18 Baylor on Sunday.
“Baylor is anxious to prove that they are a good team,” Pollard said. “They are going to be really ready for the match, but our having a week to prepare will help. It will give Shannon another week to get healthy.”
