Four Norse Earn All-Conference Honors at IIAC Individual Tournament
Oct. 18, 2008
For the first time under the new format of the Iowa Conference Individual Tournament, Luther had four players earn all-conference honors in a single year. To earn all-conference honors, a player must reach the quarterfinals of the Flight A singles tournament or reach the semifinals of the Flight A doubles tournament.
Kelsie Allen, Katie Nichols and Fran Fairfield all earned all-conference honors in singles play for the first time of their careers. Nichols was eliminated from the tournament by eventual IIAC champion Hannah Jensen of Coe 6-4, 6-3. Allen defeated Fairfield in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-2 and finished as the runner-up after losing to Jensen 6-3, 6-0 in the championship match.
Allen also earned all-conference honors in doubles action with partner Brynne Zinnecker. This duo was eliminated from the championship round by eventual runner-ups Hillary Baehr and Stephanie Gibbons of Central 8-6. Allen and Zinnecker completed the tournament with a third place finish following an 8-2 victory over Faith Bliss and Kayla Donner of Coe.
Championships were also decided in Flight B singles and Flight B doubles.
Laura Reutlinger, Sara Dale and Katie Patterson advanced to the quarterfinals of Flight B singles. Reutlinger reached the semifinals after defeating Dale 6-2, 6-3. Patterson also reached the semifinals with an hard fought 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (8) decision over Jill Berner of Simpson. Both Reutlinger and Patterson were defeated in the semifinal round and faced each other in the third place match. Patterson captured third place with a 6-3, 6-1 decision.
Dale and Patterson also finished as Flight B doubles runner-ups after dropping an 8-5 decision to Katie Williamson and Emily Swartz of Central College.
Reutlinger and Carrie Eisele advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by this same Central duo 8-6.
