A decrease in intensity caused by a long fall season led SIUC to an average showing at the Memphis Invitational in Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 27-29 women’s tennis coach Judy Auld said.

Overall, we didn’t play with the intensity that we had the past two weekends, she said. If there was a time for them to let down, let it be last weekend.

Sanem Berksoy and Melva McNeil captured the squad’s only flight title at No. 3 doubles for SIUC. In No. 4 singles, Patricia Zihler advanced to the finals, where she lost in straight sets to Danielle Dilloff of Tulane University, while teammates Liz Gardner and Helen Johnson lost in the semifinals of flights one and four respectively.

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Berksoy and McNeil’s victory marked the second flight crown in two

tournaments for the duo. They also won the No. 3 doubles title at the Louisville Invitational, Oct. 21-22.

Berksoy said she was pleased with the team’s performance in Memphis and with how she and McNeil have improved throughout the fall.

All throughout the tournament we played aggressive and offensive, she said. We tried to minimize our unforced errors.

McNeil said she can see definite improvement in the level of the team’s play.

Looking back from the beginning of this season, it shows how well we’ve been able to combine our games to produce a winning team, she said.

Despite a good doubles outing, McNeil said the squad was a little tired due to its demanding schedule.

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Toward the end of the season, people get burned out, she said.

Gardner agreed with McNeil and said some members of the squad were affected by the long season.

When you’re winding down the season, it’s tough, she said. But you still give 100 percent.

Both Auld and her players hope to raise the intensity level at the Illinois Midwest Region Invitational in Champaign Friday through Sunday to end their fall season on a positive note.

I realize it is hard to maintain (the intensity), coach Auld said. The important thing is that we get it back for this weekend because it is against regional opponents.

I think they will.