Women's Tennis edged in 5-4 heartbreaker at John Carroll in OAC Tournament Quarterfinals

By Tim Glon

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- Fifth-seeded Ohio Northern dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 decision to fourth-seeded John Carroll in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Athletic Conference Women's Tennis Tournament Tuesday afternoon at Purvis Park.

The Polar Bears see their season end with a 10-11 record, while the Blue Streaks advance to the OAC Tournament Semifinals Friday at Mason, O., with a 9-5 mark.

Freshman Jenny Provost won twice to pace Ohio Northern.

Northern started strong, winning two if the three doubles points to take a quick 2-1 lead.

Senior Mami Ito and junior Kristin Timperman won 8-3 at No. 2 doubles and freshman Jenna Bittner and Provost posted a 9-8(1) win at the No. 3 doubles spot.

But the Blue Streaks battled back and won four of the six singles contests to squak out the win.

Freshman Ashley Bonamer won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 singles and Provost won 6-4, 6-1 at No. 6 singles to tie the match at 4-4.

Timperman battled back from a 6-4 loss in the first set to win the second set 6-1 at No. 4 singles, but JCU's Ashley Bauer edged out a 6-4 decision in the third and final set to clinch the match for the hosts.