Both of DePauw’s tennis programs struggled away from home this past weekend in Chicago.
The women’s team (3-4), ranked 13th, lost to 15th–ranked Chicago 1-8, with the Tigers’ only win coming from No. 5 singles freshman Ali Bush, who won 6-2 and 7-5.
“Chicago has been one of our biggest competitors for awhile now, so obviously it was a difficult loss,” said junior Gretchen Wilder. “[They] played a really tough, overall match, and although we fought hard at all positions… they had a better day than us.”
Sophomore Alyssa Seneviratne agreed.
“I think they showed us some things we need to work on, but the fact that we were right there hanging with them makes me really excited and optimistic about the matches ahead,” she said.
After winning their first two official matches of the season, the women’s team has now gone 1-4 in their last five matches.
“I think the biggest challenge for us has been that last step of matches," Seneviratne said. “We’ve been playing so many great teams, and… are playing our hearts out and are so incredibly close to getting that W against them.”
On the men’s side, the Tigers dropped their match to fourth-ranked Chicago 1-8 after going on a three-game winning streak.
DePauw’s only win came from No. 3 doubles with juniors Nate Wallace and Harold Martin.
“I thought we fought hard, played good doubles, but came out a little flat in singles, which you can’t afford to do against a talented team like Chicago,” Wallace said.
Singles rebounded on Sunday against 19th-ranked Gustavus Dolphus in Jackson, Wis.
But despite juniors Dan Rodefeld and Matt Saten winning at No. 1 singles and No. 4 singles respectively, DePauw (4-3) lost 2-7 to the Lions.
“I think we’ve got a really good team who needs to keep improving and I can tell that we’re making progress every day,” Rodenfeld said.
The men’s team will travel to St. Louis this weekend to take on Washington University.
“Before a big match like this, we try to make sure we get a lot of repetition in with our shots so we feel as comfortable and confident as possible,” Rodenfeld said. “I’m excited. It should be a really good match.”
The women’s team will resume play on the March 21 when they take on on Allegheny College in Hilton Head Island, S.C.