By: Chris Behler ~Staff Writer~

It has been a challenging start to the spring season for the Xavier men’s and women’s tennis teams.

After losing to No. 40 ranked Indiana University 7-0 on Jan. 25 and to Miami (Ohio) 4-3 the following day, the Xavier women came back strong to best Abilene Christian (ACU) 5-2 this past Saturday.

The women’s doubles team persevered for Xavier. After a 0-2 start on the season and a loss in the first doubles match of the third game in 2014, seniors Andrea Wolf and Allyson Westling defeated Nada Marjanovic and Emily Conrad of Abilene Christian 6-3 in match three to clinch a doubles point.

Daniella Patton and Christina Di’Lorenzo defeated ACU’s doubles team 6-4 in the second match.

The Xavier women will be matched up against Eastern Kentucky at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at home.

The Xavier men’s team has been improving steadily after a rocky start. After starting its season with losses to Ohio State, Eastern Kentucky and Brown University, the men’s team rallied in the second game of its doubleheader to beat Bryant University 7-0.

The following day, Xavier proceeded to take down Binghamton in a close 4-3 showing. Sophomore Adam Krull was relentless in his singles match, giving up only three total points to sophomore Sid Hazarika. In addition to Krull’s performance, senior teammate Mesa Mei defeated the same opponent twice, junior Ismael Dinia, in his singles and doubles matchup.

The men play against Indiana University and Central Florida starting at 10 a.m. Feb. 7 in Bloomington, Ind