The Omnibus

Issue date: 4/15/04 Section: Sports

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April 3 marked a first for the Southwest Baptist University women's tennis team when they hosted Missouri Western State College. The Lady Bearcats earned their first MIAA win of the season in an 8-1 victory over the Griffons.

Media Credit: Kellee Clark Junior Charlotte Heidelberg and her doubles partner, sophomore Valerie Jones, prepare to return their Missouri Western opponent´s serve.

"They pushed us," SBU Head Coach Ray Still said. "We responded well to the pressure and this gives us confidence."

One of the many keys to victory over Missouri Western was the return of freshman Charlotte Heidelberg to the lineup.

"It helped a lot to have her back in the lineup," Still said. "She's not lost a step from her injury."

After their victory over the Griffons, SBU traveled to Rockhurst to face a Lady Hawks team ranked in the top 40 in the nation in NCAA Division II.

"They are a very solid team," Still said. "They are as good as the best teams in our conference."

Despite a 2-7 loss to Rockhurst University, Still did see signs of improvement in the Lady Bearcats' play.

"We're showing improvement and the games are getting closer," Still said. "I firmly believe the work we've put in will start to bear fruit in the next couple weeks."

Capturing the two SBU wins was the number three doubles team of sophomore Lynne Klaasen and senior Lindsay Hickel and winning her singles match was freshman Sarah Smith.

The Lady Bearcats then traveled to Washburn to take on a strong Lady Blues team ranked number one in the MIAA. Washburn defeated SBU 0-9 in the match.

"They overpowered us," Still said. "They took us out of our game from the get go."

The Lady Bearcats are ready for tough competition when they travel to Oklahoma City to compete in the Bronco Invitational at the University of Central Oklahoma April 15-17, their final competition before the MIAA Championships.

"We will play four teams that are regionally ranked," Still said. "They will be some of the best teams in the nation and hopefully this will prepare us for the MIAA teams we will face."

Results from the Bronco Invitational were not available at time of print.

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