Despite Ladue losing their top singles player in Cam Newton, Mehlville fell in all seven matches to the Rams Tuesday night. Ladue lost just two total games in the match, which was played in a four singles-three doubles format.
Annie Kopp took over at the No. 1 singles spot for the Rams Tuesday and defeated Sabina Okanovic 6-1, 6-0.
"I like the challenge of playing No. 1," Okanovic said. "You can only get better by playing the better players. I still look forward to every match and I am having fun and learning something every match. Today I learned that I need to work on my backhand."
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Okanovic, a sophomore, is still looking for her first victory of the season as she faces tough competition like Kopp in every match she plays.
The only other game won by the Panthers was at No. 3 singles as Suriya Subramanian lost to Ella Glaser 6-0, 6-1.
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The other two singles wins by the Rams were by 6-0, 6-0 scores as Libby Ferris beat Monica Wanninger at No. 2 and Caroline Oglander defeated Jamie Smith at No. 4.
Mehlville did not win a game in the three doubles matches. Mary Jane Rogers and Maria Moenza beat Irma Hamzagic and Laura Connolly at No. 1, Katherine Burkemper and Sarah Beckmann beat Tara Becker and Dzaha Eleckovic at No. 2 and Karen Figenshav and Julia Novack beat Cara Stount and Marizela Ekic at No. 3.
Mehlville won its opening match against DuBourg and has not won since.
"We have 33 girls at a program with no courts and I am very happy about that," Mehlville coach Bill Ebert said. "I am very encouraged and the girls to wanting to learn and are improving each time they step on the court. They continue to try hard and are always asking questions. I am using this as a teaching season."
