MEN’S GOLF
The men’s golf squad finished strong in their first action of the spring season at the University of Tennessee-Martin Grover Page Classic. Paced by John Campbell’s 11th-place finish overall, the Billikens placed sixth at the Pickwick Dam Village Course. Campbell paced the Billikens with rounds of 72, 70 and 76 en route to a three-round score of 218.
Also placing well for the Billikens was junior Ryan Blechle, who battled an illness for most of the competition’s first day. Following his first-round 76, Blechle came on strong with back-to-back rounds of 73, enabling him to place 21st overall. Right behind Blechle was senior Barry O’Neil, who took 25th place overall with rounds of 73, 76 and 75. Sophomore Adam Serrano took 37th place with rounds of 80, 76 and 70. Serrano’s round of 70 tied for the team’s one-round low of the young season. Rounding out top performers for the Billikens was senior David Perritt. Perritt’s solid rounds of 75 and 73 on Monday were erased as he shot 82 on Tuesday en route to a three-day score of 240.
The overall title was claimed by Murray State, which used rounds 287, 280 and 292. After rounds of 290 and 292, the Billikens fell out of competition for the title and posted a 300 on Tuesday to finish sixth place. SLU returns to action on Monday, March 20, when the team travels to Virginia to play in the William and Mary Invitational.
WOMENS TENNIS
Fresh off dominant wins over Western Illinois and Eastern Illinois, the SLU women’s tennis team continued its success with a 6-1 thumping of Bradley at the Club at River City North in Peoria, Ill. The squad picked up its sixth-straight win and improved its overall record to 8-3. After dominating the early doubles matches, the Billikens finished strong and took five out of the six singles matches.
Amanda Hellberg continued her recent string of success with a victory in No. 1 singles (6-0, 6-1). Following a Tara Grant loss at No. 2 singles (2-6, 3-6), Ana Renda answered with a big win at No. 3 singles (6-1, 6-2). The Billikens continued to dominate in singles, sweeping the final three singles matches. Rachel McCullagh was up to the challenge at No. 4 singles (6-1, 6-0), and Jo Becker easily took the No. 5 singles match (6-3, 6-1). Rounding out the singles matches was Caitlin Bokulic’s performance at the No. 6 spot (6-1, 6-2).
The Billikens dominated the doubles matches. The team of Grant and Katerina Lozanova handily took the No. 1 doubles match (8-1). At the No. 2 doubles match, Hellberg and Renda won a tight match in winning 8-4. Finally, Bokulic and McCullagh took the No. 3 doubles match (8-4).
For her efforts during the week, sophomore Renda was named Atlantic 10 women’s tennis Performer of the Week.
The Billikens look to continue their recent streak of success when they host the University of Missouri-St. Louis at the Billiken Tennis Center. The match is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 9.
WOMEN’S GOLF
The women’s golf squad entered action at the Murray State Big River Telephone Classic with high hopes of playing well in its second tournament of the young spring season. The Billikens were paced by sophomore Jenny Madras, who fired back-to-back 86s en route to a 31st-place overall finish. Amid some stiff competition, the Billikens managed to finish eighth in the 11-team field.
Following Madras was freshman Christa Cloutier, whose scores of 82 and 91 were good enough for a 35th-place overall finish. Cloutier’s first-round score of 82 was a team best for the season. Right behind Cloutier was Caitlyn Cummings, who fired an 89 and 88, good enough for a 46th-place finish. Sophomore Kaela Burke managed a 62nd-place finish with a two-day score of 192. Rounding out the top finishers for the Bills was senior Amber Dodman. Dodman mustered rounds of 96 and 100 en route to a 63rd-place finish overall.
The University of Cincinnati claimed the overall title, with team rounds of 324 of 325. Bearcat star Hillery Wilson was the individual medalist, with rounds of 78 and 80. After respectable finishes in the Ann Rhoads Southern Shootout and the Big River Telephone Classic, the Billikens look to continue their streak of consistency as they travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for the North/South Intercollegiate next week.
