Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Halted in Quarterfinal Round
5/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
May 27, 2004
ATHENS, Ga.--Northwestern's tennis season came to a close today when third-ranked Cristelle Grier (Epsom, England/Putney) fell in singles and teamed with senior Jessica Rush (Dallas, Texas/The Hockaday) for a loss in doubles, both of which took place in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Championships.
"Cristelle and Jessica made incredible runs at the tournament," head coach Claire Pollard said. "No other school can say they made it this far in both singles and doubles."
In her noon (CT) singles match, eighth-seeded Grier was edged 7-5 in the first set by sixth-ranked Julie Coin of Clemson. However, the sophomore turned the tables to earn a 6-4 win in the second set. Unfortunately for NU's top player, Coin, seeded No. 9-16, pulled away with a 6-1 decision in the third to advance to the semifinal round.
Grier, who matched her 2003 tournament finish, ended the year with a 40-5 overall record, tops in terms of season wins at Northwestern. She also finished 20-3 against ranked opponents and compiled a 19-match winning streak.
With only about an hour to rest, Grier joined Rush for their quarterfinal contest against Marshall's 32nd-ranked Jessica Johnson and Ashley Kroh. The Wildcats' third-ranked tandem, seeded fifth--and the highest remaining seed in the tournament--were unable to reach the semifinals, falling 6-4, 6-2.
"Some more rest probably could have helped, but you have to give credit to Johnson and Kroh," Pollard said. "It still was a great match, but it is a little sad that was Cristelle and Jessica's last match together."
Even with the loss, Grier and Rush can boast their 41-5 record, which breaks NU's season-high for wins by three, and the ITA National Indoor doubles title.
