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Hamline senior Kristen Bothun made easy work of Concordia’s Annie Styba in number-one singles competition, winning 6-3, 6-3. First-year Kelly Gust took down Katie Luther in the three sets, winning 6-3, 2-6, 10-7.

Hamline’s number-one doubles tandem of Bothun/Gust continued on what has been a fantastic season, disposing of Concordia’s Styba/Luther, 8-2.

Riding on the confidence of the first round victory, Hamline headed into their quarterfinals match against Carleton with determined hopes. Unfortunately for the Pipers, Carleton had a bolstered lineup with the presence of their number-one Sarah Russell.

“The difference in the match was the presence of their number-one (Sarah Russell). When we played Carleton earlier in the season, they didn’t have [her]. With her there, they changed things around and really became an even stronger team,” said head coach Dan Haertl.

Liz Gunderson, who was the only Hamline singles competitor to claim victory when the two teams met in early April, fell short against Eryn Koch, 4-6, 3-6. Piper’s number-six singles competitor Stephanie England had a hard fought match with Lisa Ottum, which went the distance. Ultimately, England lost 6-7, 4-7, 1-6. In the primary showdown of the afternoon, Bothun/Gust squared off against Sarah Russell and Eryn Koch in number-one doubles competition. The Carleton duo proved to be too much for the Pipers, winning 8-1.

The Pipers fell again in the fifth place semifinal, this time to #7 St. Catherine. Nonetheless, Hamline persevered and was victorious in their seventh place match against ninth-seeded Bethel. Hamline was undefeated in singles and only dropped one doubles match in their 5-1 rout of Bethel. Kelly Gust was victorious in her number-two singles match, winning 6-1, 5-7, 10-8. Jenna McManus made easy work of Lindsey Chapman in number-four singles competition, winning 6-2, 6-2. Number-one Hamline doubles Bothun/Gust defeated Bethel’s Courtney Kelly and LeRoyce Chapman, 8-2.

On the whole, the Pipers team had a much-improved year.

“The women won one conference match last year, and this year we won five. In my twenty years in Hamline, the highest we had ever finished was sixth. If we had beaten St. Kates it would have given us a chance to play for fifth place overall. We were close,” said Haertl.

Men fight through injury

Hamline mens tennis faced an immediate setback in the injury of top player Ben Watkins. Watkins, whose knee left him with very limited mobility, was lost after gutting his way through the quarterfinal matchup against Concordia. The injury itself occurred last Wednesday, April 26, when Watkins went to practice with former Piper John Schollmeier. Watkins was working hard to prepare for the MIAC Championships; unfortunately, Watkins had a high ankle sprain and tore his meniscus.

The team decided they would try their luck with Watkins, but the injury obviously took its toll. Watkins lost to Concordia’s Jordy Kamerling (1-6, 1-6) only a week after defeating Kamerling 7-5, 6-3. Hamline fought hard in the following matches, but ultimately lost 3-6. Watkins’ injury forced Hamline to change up their rotation, which led to some close losses.

“When we played Concordia a week ago, we beat them 8-1. If we would have had Watkins, I think we would have won the singles and doubles needed to take the match,” said Haertl.

In the fifth place semifinal match against St. Olaf, Hamline found their spark. Pipers Jon Breimhorst and Andy Carlson defeated Ian Pray and Patrick Curran in number-one doubles competition, 8-3. Hamline also took four of five singles contests, with great work from Breimhorst, Carlson, and Andrew Vande Linde.

Not about to stop, the Pipers set their sights on the fifth-place final. In what could be seen as a very competitive matchup, Hamline arose victorious at 6-2. Solid singles play from Jon Henning, Andy Carlson, Andrew VandeLinde, Patrick Hueller and Casey O’Donnell helped supplant victory for the Pipers. Henning defeated Tyler Stevenson 4-6, 6-4 (6) in number-one singles competition. Andy Carlson won 6-3, 6-2 in number-three singles. VandeLinde was victorious in number-four singles, winning 6-2, 6-3.

Though Hamline finished lower (5th overall) than their third seed, the events preceding the tournament make the result a success. Losing your best player is an obstacle no team would wish to face; nonetheless, the Pipers fought an arduous, uphill battle to take fifth.

“I thought without a doubt we were the third best in the conference, because the closest anyone came to us was 6-3. We beat everyone else 7-2 or 8-1 (with the exception of St. Mary’s),” said Haertl.

The extent of the damage of Watkins’s injury is unknown, as is if Watkins will need arthroscopic surgery. Fortunately, the recovery time from such an injury is short.

Hamline earns honors

Even with the injury the team has made considerable improvement since last season. Last year the men finished the season 2-7 in the MIAC, earning them the seventh slot of the tournament. The team ended their run right on target with a seventh place finish. That same year the women entered the tournament ranked tenth in the MIAC after a season with only one MIAC win. By the end of the weekend, however, the team managed to jump up three slots, also claiming a seventh place finish. This year the womens side held another steady seventh place while the men jumped up to fifth.

Though the mens and womens teams fell short of their respective season ranks in the tournament, both had superior seasons. The men went undefeated this year against St. Olaf, a team the Pipers were winless against in ‘05. The men improved from the 8-1 loss of last season to an 8-1 win over the Ollies this season. The Pipers took out St. Olaf 5-3 in the MIAC consolation semi-finals.

Their improvement did not go unnoticed. Watkins received the Arthur Ashe Award, an honor the MIAC coaches collectively bestow upon the athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship and athleticism. The award is only given to one MIAC player each year.

Haertl also earned nods from fellow head coaches, and was named MIAC Tennis Coach of the Year. Haertl was quick to give credit where he felt credit was due.

“You only get that by having a great team. That isn’t my award. That is the teams’ award. The players deserved it more than I did,” he said.