SIUC freshman women’s tennis player Keri Crandall battled through a disappointment in doubles play to make a solid showing at the Louisville Invitational last weekend.

Crandall had to have a partner from Eastern Kentucky University to fill out the tournament, which meant her doubles matches did not count. The tournament in Louisville, Ky., consisted of 10 teams.

But Crandall was able to compile a 2-1 record at the No. 6 spot in singles play. Her only loss came at the hands of University of Louisville’s Katie McLaughin.

Advertisement

Crandall said she saw some improvement last weekend, especially in the mental aspects of her game.

I was more conditioned, and I mentally got into it, Crandall said. I was real focused, and I was moving well.

Crandall said that to be mentally in the game, she has to have confidence in herself to beat her opponent, and that confidence helped her to play better offensively.

I was able to get the ball deep, Crandall said. I was not afraid to be aggressive when I had the chance.

Coach Judy Auld said one of the keys for Crandall’s continued improvement is how responsive she is to instruction.

Keri is very coachable, Auld said. She is willing to try new things, and that means she may lose some matches, but ultimately she will win. Her level of play is getting better and better.

The fall preseason has been a rough one for Helen Johnson, but last weekend she turned it all around by winning the consolation match in the B flight singles.

Advertisement*

Johnson compiled a 4-1 record for the tournament. With the exception of the first tournament of the year at the University of Indiana, Johnson had not compiled a record above the .500 mark until Louisville.

Auld said it has been difficult for Johnson to adjust to a new spot, but Johnson is continuing to improve with each tournament.

It is very atypical for her not to be above .500, Auld said. She always rises to the occasion, and it is very unusual not to see her in the finals.

With the four wins, Johnson now has a record of 92-40 in her four-year Saluki career.

Senior Sanem Berksoy went 3-1, losing to Nadia Karpol of the University of Louisville in the semifinals. Karpol won the match in two sets, beating Berksoy 7-5 in each set. Karpol also beat Berksoy 6-4 in each set during the Saluki Invitational Sept. 26-28.

Berksoy said she played well, but Karpol was a tough opponent and beat her in two close sets.

I didn’t make many unforced errors, Berksoy said. I also was serving pretty well, and I was moving well on the court. It was a big draw of both No. 1 and No. 2. I was happy to make it to the semifinals.

Berksoy’s three wins came against players she has never competed against. Berksoy said she prefers to compete against people she has never played before because it helps her keep her mind on the match.

But Berksoy also did well in doubles play. She and senior Molly Card combined for a 4-1 mark and won the consolation match against Saluki teammates Johnson and Mardee Crane.

I was thinking more about my game because I didn’t know about my opponents, Berksoy said. But I like playing players I haven’t played against because I am not thinking about previous matches.