Though team scores were not kept at this weekend’s Belmont Fall Invitational, it was clear that the BG women’s tennis team was at the top of the pack, with a 16-6 singles record and 9-2 doubles mark for the two-day tournament.

Marking the end of the fall tennis season, the four-team tournament was held in Nashville, Tenn., and hosted by Belmont University. In singles action, Christine Chiricosta went 3-0 and Jessica Easdale posted a 2-0 record. Katia Babina, Maddy Eccleston, Katie Grubb, Jade Johnson and Samantha Kintzel each defeated two of their opponents before finishing with 2-1 scores across the board. Mary-Catherine Beck ended the tournament with a 1-1 record.

The tournament was held indoors at the Centennial Sportsplex, and this indoor play is a preview of what is to come for the majority of the spring season. Indoor play is different, but not always a bad thing, according to Johnson.

‘Playing indoors doesn’t affect our matches for the most part,’ Johnson said. ‘At times, playing indoors is an advantage, because the wind, the weather and the climate outside can sometimes give us a disadvantage and mess up our game styles.

‘Some [members] of our team love playing outdoors, and some love playing indoors. Playing indoors a really just a preference.’

For the Falcons, this was their first time in the South, playing against BU, Chattanooga and Murray State in a tournament that coach Penny Dean said would give the women a taste of ‘country flavor.’

‘Although no team scores were kept, we are pleased that we were the winningest team by a fair amount,’ Dean said. ‘It was our goal to play well and also have fun on this trip, and we feel we were able to accomplish both of those things.’

The Falcons will continue competitive play after winter break, resuming play in January at Louisville, Ky. That tourney will mark the beginning of the spring season, as well as the dual-match portion of their schedule.’