Cresson, Pa. -- Despite strong singles showings from the middle of the lineup, Mount Aloysius women's tennis dropped both of their conference matches this weekend.

Mount Aloysius vs. Penn State Behrend - Saturday, September 16th

Saturday's home meet started off rough for the Mounties, struggling to control the net in all three doubles losses. 

Singles play saw two high points at the three and four positions, with freshmen Caylie Conlon (New Paris, PA, Chestnut Ridge) and Lauryn Kitchen (Clearfield, PA, Clearfield) taking the first sets at their respective positions. However, Conlon was unable to keep the offensive pressure going at a high rate, falling to her opponent's passing shots 2-10 in the third. Kitchen had an opposing problem, struggling to defend to the high degree of her opening set, sailing a forehand long to lose the match 9-11 in the third. 

Mount Aloysius vs. Penn State Altoona - Sunday, September 17th

Sunday's matches on the carpeted courts of the Gorilla House Gym saw a better opening from the Mounties, who stayed even at doubles through the first few changeovers. Seniors Kendra Sines (Somerset, PA, Somerset) and Kierra Mountain (Roaring Spring, PA, Central) had some success with net control at one doubles, but struggled against their opponents' variation as the match drew on. Conlon and partner Julia Davis (Mount Pleasant, PA, Southmoreland ) likewise saw poach attempts met with high success rates early at two doubles, but struggled to find breaks deep into the set. Kitchen and partner Maria Runk (Broad Top, PA, Tussey Mountain ) won with steady baselining at three doubles, putting the Mounties at 1-2 heading in to singles play. 

Mountain saw early trouble sticking with her opponent's angle production at two singles, but cross court adjustments paid dividends as she fought to level the match at one set all. Conlon grinded out a three set victory at three singles, with Runk adding a straight sets affair at six singles to set the Mounties at 3-4 overall with two matches to play. However, Davis's approach game struggled late into her match at the five spot, and Kitchen was unable to fight off heavy forehands from her opponent at the four singles, ending the meet at 3-6 overall. 

Up Next

Mount Aloysius Women's tennis travels alongside the men for the Friday, September 22nd meet against McDaniel.