Mt. Vernon Register-News

Sports

August 30, 2010

Rend Lake Tennis opens play at McClure Tourney

Staff Report Powell Latimer/Register-News

DECATUR — Rend Lake women's’ tennis finished third in the Dorothy McClure  Tournament at Millikin University.

Augustana College finished first with a 4-0 record in tournament play. University of St. Francis came in second at 3-1, and the Warriors finished 2-2. Concordia University (1-3) and the host Millikin finished last at 0-4.

Rend Lake coach Dave Junkins said he was pleased with the outcome, given that Rend Lake was the only non-four-year program at the tournament.

“A third-place finish was a good showing for us,” He said.

The Warriors lost to St. Francis 5-1 and defeated Milikin 6-0. In afternoon play, Rend Lake fell to tournament champion Augustana 3-0 but defeated Concordia 3-0.

Mt. Vernon’s Chelsea Cross and Kylie Pickel, playing No. 1 and No. 2 singles for the Warriors, began with wins in both singles and doubles.

Pickel was the only player to win in singles play against St. Francis, defeating Corrine Lutz 8-6. She followed that win with a 8-0 victory against Milikin’s Anna Litwin.

“She was patient and forced her opponent to take a lot of chances on big points,” Junkins said.

Cross, playing at No. 1 singles, lost 1-8 to St. Francis’ Princess Clemente and defeated Milikin’s Hannah Church 8-4.

The pair teamed together in doubles, losing to Augustana College 3-8 and defeating Concordia 8-4.

“(Kylie) and Chelsea showed some of their doubles skills that took them to the IHSA state finals on two occasions,” Junkins said.

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