The Lake Forest College women's tennis team fell 6-3 to visiting Robert Morris University in the Foresters' final regular season match of 2010. It was also the final home match for seniors Lauren Stroner, Deepika Ramachandran, Natalie Atroshenko, and Michelle Stroner.
The home team took two of the three doubles matches. Sophomore Melika Celebic and junior Nonie Carson prevailed 8-1 at #1 to raise their dual match record on the season to 11-3. Ramachandran and freshman Aimee Fadden won 8-4 at #2 and are now 7-3 in 2010 dual matches.
Head coach Jason Box gave his top three singles players the day off and moved everyone else up three spots in the lineup. The only Forester victory was recorded by Michelle Stroner at #5, where she triumphed 6-3, 7-5. Regardless of the outcome, his focus was on the seniors. "Even though it's only my first year, I want to thank the seniors for the commitment they have put in over the last four years," he began. "It won't be easy replacing these four. They have led this team both in the classroom and on the court. I know they and the rest of the team are going to fight hard at the conference tournament next weekend to keep the season going."
Lake Forest fell to 11-3 overall this season and will conclude the fall portion of the schedule at the Midwest Conference Championships October 15-17. The Foresters will be the South Division's #2 seed in Friday's team tournament in Rockford, Illinois, and will take on either Lawrence University or St. Norbert College in the semifinals. Play will move to Madison, Wisconsin, for the doubles tournaments on Saturday and the singles competition on Sunday.