The Falcon women's tennis team traveled to the season ending WIAC Conference Tournament hosted by UW-Whitewater on Saturday, April 24, 2021. The format for this year's tournament was decided by the conference and coaches prior to the season starting to use a single elimination head-to-head competition instead of the traditional flighted tournament by position for singles and doubles, which crowns individual champions in addition to a team champion.
This would be the sixth straight weekend of competition this Spring for the team and bring the season to a conclusion. The Falcons earned the fifth seed in the tournament with a 2-4 WIAC regular season record. Their opponent would be the fourth seed UW-Stevens Point Pointers with a 3-3 WIAC record. These two teams squared off just two weeks prior in Stevens Point with the Pointers winning 9-0. The Falcons knew it would take a great effort if they were to gain the upset.
The Falcons and Pointers competed at an alternate site in Whitewater High School amid sunny skies and light wind. The teams once again came out battling hard competing for the valuable doubles points. Early on it was close, but the Pointer's tough net play eventually did the Falcons in.
#2 doubles team Gabby Potthoff and Karyn Duddeck lost 8-2 despite many long rallies with the Pointer team. The Falcons went down 2-0 after #1 doubles team Kailey Courteau and Abbie Reed were out dueled by the Pointers 8-3.
"This match featured many exciting points that went both ways. There was a lot of energy in this match," said head coach Dan Stumpf.
The Pointers then ended the doubles competition with a win against #3 doubles team Delaney Osmond and Macy Ragsdale 8-3.
"Our team had a lot of chances early to put balls away that didn't happen and we paid the price for it. We just couldn't gain much momentum in this match. I am still proud of the way Delaney and Macy fought out there today," said Stumpf.
The season for the Falcons came down to singles and needing to win 5 of 6 matches in order to advance in the tournament to face #1 seeded UW-Whitewater Warhawks. The Pointers again were just too consistent for the Falcons and earned five of the six singles points.
After sweeping positions 2 through 6 for the Pointers, the feature match between the #1 singles players came down to a 3rd set tie breaker as it did two weeks prior between the same competitors. #1 singles Kailey Courteau was looking for redemption after losing that tie breaker to the Pointer player 7-10 in Stevens Point. Courteau jumped up to a 5-1 lead in the tie breaker on consistent play. Courteau continued to dominate the tie breaker, but not before a charge from the Pointer player.
Courteau converted her second match point to close out the individual victory and lone team victory against the Pointers 10-7.
"I am happy for Kailey to end her season this way. She has worked hard all season long and deserved to be rewarded with a win for her and our team," said Stumpf.
The Pointers advanced with and 8-1 victory sending the Falcons home for the season.
"This has been a great group of players that came together all season long to work hard and focus on consistent improvement. We are graduating Gabby Potthoff as our lone senior and so our team will continue to be strong next season, especially with the addition of a few new players that I am excited to see join our program," commented Stumpf.
