Two Grinnell College women’s duos captured 2011 Midwest Conference tennis doubles titles at the league meet Saturday in Madison, Wis.
Constanza Alarcon ’13 and Clothilde Thirouin ’14 teamed up to win the second flight, while Toby Cain ’12 and Shirlene Luk ’15 won at No. 3. Alarcon has now won the maximum five individual MWC titles, having claimed doubles and singles crowns in both 2010 and 2009.
Thirouin has now won three individual titles, while Cain and Luk claimed their first.
At No. 1 doubles, Sadhana Athreya ’14 and Laura Krull ’13 placed second.
Alarcon and Thirouin began the day with a 6-0, 6-2 win over the team from Knox and followed that up with a 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 win over Lawrence University before beating St. Norbert College’s Maria Slusarek and Laura Michel 6-0, 6-2.
“Constanza and Clo fought through an extremely difficult semifinal match with Lawrence, then got to the finals where they played with great precision,” said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. “This is Constanza’s fifth individual title, and I look forward to a great day from her Sunday in singles play. Clo was re-inserted into the doubles lineup Saturday and played strong tennis. As the day went on, she was more and more accurate with her powerful shots. I’m anxious to watch her compete in singles.”
Cain and Luk beat a squad from Carroll University 6-4, 6-2, then defeated Lake Forest’s doubles team 6-1, 6-0.
In the title match, Cain and Luke rolled by Lawrence’s Christina Schaupp and Hannah Geoffrey 6-4, 6-0.
“I’m incredibly pleased for senior captain Toby Cain to come away with her first individual Midwest Conference title,” said Hamilton. “Her leadership in our program has been significant in helping us gain three team championships, and it’s gratifying to see all her hard work pay off in the form of an individual championship.”
Athreya and Krull won a 6-3, 6-3 decision over Lake Forest to begin No. 1 doubles and then topped St. Norbert’s team 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. In the title match, Elizabeth Larson and Jennifer Roesch of Lawrence beat the Grinnell pair 6-0, 6-4.
“Sadhana and Laura had a very good day, defeating two strong opponents on their way to the title match where Lawrence played a wonderful match to beat us,” said Hamilton. “I was most proud of our second-set comeback. We really played with spirit and heart and didn’t let Lawrence get the victory without a fight. Sadhana’s and Laura’s work at No. 1 doubles certainly helped lead our squad to great success in terms of our team record.”
The tourney concludes Sunday with singles play.
