The Lake Forest College women's tennis team is the 2012 Midwest Conference runner-up after defeating St. Norbert College 5-2 but falling 5-3 to Grinnell College in the MWC Championship Tournament on Friday. Forester sophomore Gracie Mullins was a perfect 4-0 in doubles and singles play on the day.
Mullins and freshman Grace Dowling won 8-4 at #2 doubles while senior Melika Celebic and freshman Christi Valicenti pulled out a 9-7 victory at #1 in the semifinals against St. Norbert, giving the Foresters a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.
Lake Forest junior Aimee Fadden was the first to finish in singles and her 6-4, 6-2 triumph at #4 extended the Forester lead to 3-1. Valicenti prevailed 6-4, 6-3 at #2 and The Green Knights got a point back at #6, making the score 4-2. Mullins provided the winning point with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) victory at #5 and Lake Forest had earned a spot in the championship match.
Grinnell edged out Carroll University 5-4 in the other semifinal.
The Foresters also led 2-1 after doubles play against Grinnell. Celebic and Valicenti won 8-5 at #1 doubles while Mullins and Dowling prevailed by the same score at #2.
Unfortunately for Lake Forest a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory at #5 by Mullins was the team's only singles win. Grinnell pulled out victories at #2, #3, #4, and #6 and Celebic's match at #1 went unfinished.
The Foresters, who have been the league's runner-up two of the last three years, finish the fall season with an overall record of 12-3 while Grinnell raised its mark to 10-3.
All 11 teams in the league will gather at the Nielsen Center in Madison, Wisconsin, on Saturday for the three positional doubles tournaments and the six singles brackets will be played out at the same location on Sunday.