Sophomore Talisa Merchiers finished the University of South Dakota Invitational tied for third, and the team went 4-2 at the invitational this past weekend. After cold and wind cancelled events Oct. 3, the tournament was cut short with all tennis events being held Oct. 4. There were six doubles matches and four ISU players competed in three of the matches.

Merchiers and sophomore Natalie Phippen played together in the first two matches and came out even. They won their first match against South Dakota, 6-2, and lost their second match, 7-5, against the University of North Dakota.

After these two matches, Merchiers played with junior Alejandra Galvis and Phippen paired with senior Caroline Hauge Andersen. Both of the pairs won their matches to end the day of competition.

The Andersen-Galvis team were paired for two matches and continued their success from the Gopher Invitational. The pairing won their first match, 6-1, against the University of Nebraska at Omaha and lost their second match, 6-2, against South Dakota.

“I really hope I can be paired with [Galvis] for the season,” Andersen said. “I know exactly what she’s going to do, and she knows exactly what I’m going to do.”

Merchiers came into the tournament with no fear and was ready to be aggressive in doubles. Her efforts in practice have shown her potential in tournaments, and her eyes are set on making the doubles lineup for the regular season.

“I wasn’t scared with my net game because I knew we were expected to be the best team at the invitational,” Merchiers said.

ISU coach Armando Espinosa has noticed Merchiers’ improvement from the Gopher Invitational to this last tournament.

“She playing a lot better in doubles. She’s moving forward, and she’s doing things that we’re asking her to do,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa was a little disappointed with the invitational regarding the team’s performance and the number of matches. He was hoping to play twelve matches this weekend but, due to time constraints after canceling the first day, they played only six matches.

“Neither one of our pairings made the finals,” Espinosa said. “So from that stand point it was a little disappointing.”

Espinosa liked how the players started off the tournament in the cold weather but toward the end he noticed the team struggling.

“Once we realized we were up, we started playing tight,” Espinosa said. “We started forcing shots, and the other team started playing better as well.”

The team was projected to be the best school and win the invitational, so losing matches was a disappointment.

“We were really [angry] about losing the second match because we shouldn’t have lost,” Merchiers said.

However, the team is back to being healthy, besides freshman Anna Garcia’s nagging back injury. Garcia practiced and swung the racquet Oct. 2, but by Oct. 3, she was back in the training room to be examined.

“Garcia will be going to the doctor sometime this week to be checked out,” Espinosa said.

The team and coaches are hoping that she can play within the next few weeks and be ready for the Houston Invitational.

Next weekend the team is off, but the players will be practicing for singles for the next two invitationals throughout the week.