The men’s and women’s tennis teams traveled to Ohio to take on Wittenberg University and Denison University on Saturday, each winning both of their matchups.
The men fell behind in their first match against Denison as seniors Nate Wallace and Harold Martin were they only doubles pair to earn a victory. They took the second flight by a score of 8-3.
Senior Dan Rodefeld opened singles play with an exciting no. 1 matchup by a score of 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6). Wallace and Martin continued their winning streak with victories in no. 5 and no. 6 play, respectively.
With the match tied up 4-4, sophomore Peter Barcot played the no. 4 flight to decide the match. Barcot won by the score of 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 to secure the victory.
The Wittenberg match was controlled by the Tigers as they swept doubles play and only lost one singles match. They won all their singles matches in straight sets.
At no. 2, senior Matt Santen earned a 6-1, 6-1 win; at no. 3, sophomore Greg Frauenheim won 6-4, 6-2; at no. 4, Wallace collected a 6-3, 6-0 win; at no. 5, Martin won 6-0, 6-1; at no. 6, sophomore Alex Bertolini won 6-1, 6-0.
Wallace thought the team’s enthusiasm and effort led to the two wins.
“Against Denison, I thought we fought hard for every point,” Wallace said. “We played solid singles, and had great energy throughout. Against Wittenberg, we played well in all aspects which was great to see.”
The men improved their record to 8-9 overall and 3-0 in the west division of the North Coast Athletic Conference. They will finish the regular season with a trip to Franklin College on Thursday.
The 26th ranked women’s team was just as successful as they won both their matches with ease.
Senior Maddie Lee, sophomore Ali Bush, and junior Alyssa Senevirante all came from behind to win their singles matches against Denison. Lee won 4-6, 6-1, 6-1; Bush won 5-7, 6-3, 10-7; and Senevirante won 2-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Sophomore Colleen Morris and sophomore Megan Galle each won the no. 5 and no. 6 flights by scores of 6-2, 7-5 and 6-3, 6-2 respectively.
In doubles play, Senevirante and first-year Meredith Breda won the second flight 8-2, and Galle and sophomore Sarah Wilder won the third flight 8-6.
The women swept Wittenberg by a score of 9-0. The team won every match in straight sets.
Lee, senior Gretchen Wilder and Galle all won 6-0, 6-0 in their singles matches, while the no. 1 and no. 2 doubles flights of Lee and Gretchen Wilder, and Senevirante and Breda each won 8-0. Senevirante was happy with how the team has been consistent for two straight weekends.
“It was great to continue our momentum from the Midwest Invitational into this weekend,” Senevirante said. “We've all been working really hard both physically and mentally, and we're thrilled to see it paying off.”
The women improve to 12-5 overall and 3-0 in the west division of the NCAC. They travel to Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis on Friday.