Notre Dame Shuts Out Western Michigan, Butler To Extend Winning Streak to Five

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame women’s tennis improved to 5-0 this spring after shutting out both Western Michigan and Butler 7-0 today inside the Eck Tennis Pavilion. Notre Dame won in straight sets in all 14 singles matches and has now started 5-0 in two of the past three seasons.

The Irish opened up Saturday’s double header with a morning match against Western Michigan. Notre Dame dominated the doubles matches, winning the early point quickly after a 6-0 win from Rylie Hanford/Nibi Ghosh at the top doubles followed by a 6-1 effort from Maria Olivia Castedo/Bojana Pozder at two doubles. 

With a 1-0 lead, the Irish didn’t slow down there. Coming off the dominating doubles win, both Hanford and Ghosh won 6-1, 6-0 at their respective courts to put Notre Dame up three. Carrie Beckman clinched the win for the Irish at No. 2 singles, winning 6-2, 6-2. The rest of the matches were played out, with Castedo, Bianca Molnar and Pozder winning their matches in straight sets for the 7-0 victory.

Notre Dame 7, Western Michigan 0

Singles:

1. Bojana Pozder (ND) def. Lola Glantz (WMU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Carrie Beckman (ND) def. Polina Khotko (WMU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Nibi Ghosh (ND) def. Sienna Osborne (WMU) 6-1, 6-0
4. Bianca Molnar (ND) def. Christine Gouws (WMU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Rylie Hanford (ND) def. Audrey Smitek (WMU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Maria Olivia Castedo (ND) def. Julia Frazier (WMU) 6-4, 6-1

Order of finish: (5,3,2,6,4,1)

Doubles:

1. Rylie Hanford/Nibi Ghosh (ND) def. Audrey Smitek/Lola Glantz (WMU) 6-0
2. Maria Olivia Castedo/Bojana Pozder (ND) def. Sienna Osborne/Polina Khotko (WMU) 6-1 
3. Carrie Beckman/Bianca Molnar (ND) vs. Christine Gouws/Julia Frazier (WMU) 4-2, unfinished

Order of finish: (1,2)

Following a little over a two-hour break, the Irish hosted innerstate foe Butler. And just like the morning, the Irish dominated the doubles in the afternoon. Beckman/Molnar shutout the Bulldogs at No. 3 doubles 6-0, leading to Hanford/Ghosh winning the opening team point with a 6-2 win at the top doubles slot.

With a 1-0 lead heading into singles, the Irish dominance continued. Hanford, who only dropped two games in singles play during the day, won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles. Beckman followed her with a 6-1, 6-2 performance to put Notre Dame up three. The top singles court clinched it for the Irish, as Pozder won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1 to give the Irish their fifth win of the season. Molnar, Castedo and Kate Bellia finished out their matches, each winning in straight sets to give Notre Dame its second 7-0 victory of the day. 

Notre Dame 7, Butler 0

Singles:

1. Bojana Pozder (ND) def. Chase Metcalf (BUT) 6-1, 6-1
2. Carrie Beckman (ND) def. Norah Balthazor (BUT) 6-1, 6-2
3. Rylie Hanford (ND) def. Katie Beavin (BUT) 6-0, 6-1
4. Bianca Molnar (ND) def. Brooke Arington (BUT) 6-3, 6-3
5. Maria Olivia Castedo (ND) def. Emma Beavin (BUT) 6-1, 6-1
6. Kate Bellia (ND) def. Lauren Cook (BUT) 6-3, 6-3

Order of finish: (3,2,1,4,5,6)

Doubles:

1. Rylie Hanford/Nibi Ghosh (ND) def. Chase Metcalf/Brooke Arington (BUT) 6-2
2. Bojana Pozder/Maria Olivia Castedo (ND) vs. Lauren Cook/Katie Beavin (BUT) unfinished
3. Carrie Beckman/Bianca Molnar (ND) def. Emma Beavin/Norah Balthazor (BUT) 6-0

Order of finish: (3,1)

Up Next:

The Irish head to New York City next weekend to face Maryland on February 1 at 11:00 a.m. and Columbia the following day at 10:30 a.m. Notre Dame is looking to extend its season opening winning streak.