Notre Dame tennis team defeats Kennett for first time

Coming into the season, Notre Dame girls tennis coach Donna Ryan said it was her team's goal to defeat Kennett.

The Bulldogs will now have to come up with some new goals for the remainder of their season as they achieved the milestone Monday afternoon with a historic 6-3 sweep of the Indians on their home court in Cape Girardeau.

"We've never beaten Kennett. We've never come close to beating Kennett," an ecstatic Ryan said. "Our goal was to come out and play strong against Kennett. You can't always control what happens on the other side of the net, but they controlled it very well. It took them to a winning match."

The Bulldogs combined for four victories in singles and two wins in doubles to notch the victory.

"I really expected our girls to do well," Ryan said. "The matches were close and hard-fought. I think it really came down to the last two matches that were played. They were tired, but they recovered and they got their second wind quicker. I think that really made the difference. They were so tough."

Notre Dame's Carly Hopkins returns a volley during a doubles match against Kennett, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Ryan attributed the success to her player's commitment in the offseason, saying they took it upon themselves to strengthen their physical and mental endurance.

Ryan, who is in her third year coaching at Notre Dame, said she is not allowed to give her players individual private lessons, so several players spent their summer preparing for the season on their own. Some players took lessons in town, while others attended the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"It makes me feel really good because my girls went out and worked really hard over the summer," Ryan said. "This is a wonderful group of girls and some of the best tennis players we've ever had. They're a pretty close group, and I was really happy for them to share in this win."

The Indians (0-1) will have an opportunity for revenge Sept. 8 when the Bulldogs travel to Kennett. Ryan expects it to be a battle.

"Knowing Kennett, they'll come after us," she said.

Notre Dame's Grace Powderly returns a hit during her game against Kennett's Heidi Shetley, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Notre Dame (1-0) returns to the court today with a road match at Farmington.

SINGLES

No. 1 -- Carly Hopkins (ND) def. Hadley Hilburn (K) 8-4

No. 2 -- Heidi Shetley (K) def. Grace Powderly (ND) 8-1

No. 3 -- Alexa McPherson (K) def. Sylvia Kolda (ND) 8-4

No. 4 -- Katie Strange (ND) def. Anna Williams (K) 9-7

No. 5 -- Taylor Kohlfeld (ND) def. Kayton Harris (K) 8-6

No. 6 -- Julia Kohlfeld (ND) def. Darcy Campbell (K) 8-6

DOUBLES

No. 1 -- Hopkins/Powderly (ND) def. Shetley/Harris (K) 8-1

No. 2 -- McPherson/Williams (K) def. Kolda/Strange (ND) 8-1

No. 3 -- Kohlfeld/Kohlfeld (ND) def. Hilburn/Campbell (K) 8-6