The DePauw men's tennis team had three matches at home this weekend, coming out with a 2-1 record to put them at 4-2 on the season.
The match on Saturday against visiting Luther College ended in a 6-3 win in DePauw's favor. The top two doubles spots for DePauw ended in losses with scores of 5-8 and 8-9. Senior Michael Rardon and junior Noah Swiler turned things around at the third doubles match with an 8-0 victory.
DePauw entered the singles matches down 1-2, but finished strong with a record of 5-1 in singles. Rardon and freshman Chris Bertolini cruised their way to victory with Rardon winning 6-0, 6-0 and Bertolini winning 6-0, 6-1. Sophomore Sam Miles won a grueling three set match against Luther's Scott Sundstrom 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-7).
"That match was a real battle," Miles said. "I was not feeling very well near the end, but had my coaches and teammates urging me on for the victory."
The following match on Sunday morning saw two nationally ranked foes in 16th ranked DePauw and 17th ranked Carnegie Melon University.
DePauw had a rough time in doubles as Carnegie Melon swept each pairing 8-5, 8-5 and 8-6 to take a 3-0 lead.
"We definitely need to work on our doubles, which normally is our strength," Rardon said, "We worked hard all week after Case Western and I think we just need to restore our match toughness and confidence."
Carnegie Melon continued its dominance besting DePauw in singles 4-2.
The only two DePauw players to win were Rardon and senior Eric Hubbard in three setters, with Rardon winning over Harsha Rao 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 and Hubbard defeating Jeremy King 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 (10-7).
Miles and junior David Moss both lost three setters. Duke Miller defeated Miles 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 and Jooho Yu defeated Moss 6-3, 2-6, 7-5,.
DePauw responded in the afternoon with a prevailing 7-2 win over Grand Valley State University. Rardon was glad to see the rebound after the tough loss that morning to Carnegie Melon.
"I was very happy to see us respond after the loss in the morning to Carnegie Melon," Rardon said. "We lost our biggest match in the morning but we kept fighting hard and responded with a victory."
DePauw swept the doubles going up 3-0 early on Grand Valley State with 8-6, 8-3, and 8-4 victories.
Grand Valley State University won only two singles matches leading to a 7-2 DePauw victory to finish the weekend. Rardon and Miles would fall in singles to Grand Valley State with Miles losing to Andrew Darrell 7-6, 7-5 and Rardon defeated by Marc Roesslein 7-6. 6-3.
The Tigers now have an extended break from play before they return to action March 9 to face Ferris State at home.