The men’s tennis team had a challenging weekend starting Thursday, Feb. 7, as they traveled to Murray, Kentucky, and to Tennessee to play in Clarksville and Nashville, totaling five matches over the course of three days.
Thursday the Wildcats celebrated a good start to their long weekend, winning both of their matches in Kentucky. The team went 6-3 against the University of Southern Indiana and 6-1 overall facing Murray State University.
The ‘Cats had two of six victories in their singles matches against Southern Indiana with Hans Hach defeating “Screaming Eagle” Michael Kuzaj 6-4, 6-2 and Jason Proctor taking on Rodrigo Flores 6-1, 7-5. The team was able to make a comeback winning all three of their doubles matches.
The men ended their time in Kentucky on a high note, winning five of six of their singles and all three of their doubles matches
In an earlier statement, Coach Hutton said, “We just have to work out the rough edges and play more matches.”
Friday, Feb. 8, the Wildcats’ luck ran out in Tennessee, where they lost three games straight. The team first faced off against Belmont University, where they won half of their singles matches and only one of three of the doubles matches. Hach triumphed against the Bruins, winning first his singles match against Renato Antun 6-3,6-2 and later his doubles match, partnered with Nicklas Wingord to defeat Henrique Norbiato and Fernado Mussolini 8-4.
While trying to use a different approach against Belmont, the doubles pairs were switched, but were returned when they went up against Lipscomb University. With the regular doubles paired again, the Wildcats were able to win two of the three doubles and only two of their six single matches.
As the men concluded their long weekend, they challenged Austin Peay State University. Hach Hans was one of the players of the day, winning the only singles match, defeating Sean Bailey 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. Partnered with Proctor, the duo won the only doubles match of the day and went up against Bailey and Jasmin Demovic 8-6.
With a disappointing streak of matches for the men’s team, the women had a different outcome.
They faced off against Trinity University and Oklahoma Christian University, here at home, on Saturday, Feb. 9.
The lady Wildcats started strong against OCU, winning all six of their doubles matches and all but one of their singles matches.
Julia Mongin couldn’t match with an old foe, Barbora Bozkova, losing in her singles match, but made a statement when paired with Brittney Reed and defeated Bozkova and partner Angie T. Quezada 8-5.
The team continued in high spirits, challenging Trinity University and coming out on top with a 9-0 victory. They won in all singles and doubles matches.
“The group of girls we have are pretty disciplined and love to compete,” Coach Walker said.
Both the men’s and women’s teams will play a double header this Saturday against Hardin Simmons University and Western New Mexico University.
