By: Paul Fritschner ~Guest Writer~
The men and women’s tennis teams are off to a productive start this fall, achieving success in their first events of the year. Getting things started for the women’s team was the Miami (Ohio) Invitational on Sept. 12 and 13.
Junior Sydney Liggins went through the weekend without a blemish in both singles and doubles competition, winning three singles matches to go along with three victories in the doubles portion with her teammate, sophomore Amina Ismail. Junior Cristina Di Lorenzo also went through the weekend without losing, sweeping her three matches.
The women then participated in the Greater Cincinnati Invitational which took place on Sept. 18 and 19. Sophomore Abigail Roebker won her flight (the tennis equivalent to a round robin tournament). Roebker emerged victorious in her three matches during only two days after having a bye in the first round. She took flight six defeating Sierra Nellessen of Northern Kentucky 6-3, 6-7, 1-0 (3).
Fellow Musketeer Zoe Manion, a freshman, played her way into the finals of her flight but could not seal the deal after being defeated in three sets.
On the men’s side, they have taken part in three events. First on their fall slate was the River Forest Invitational, where they went 16-7 overall. Senior Zach Mueck, sophomore Gabriel Chaves Araujo and freshman Jack Dykema all emerged victorious in their matches.
Following up the River Forest Invitational was the Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Invitational. Araujo won his first match before falling in his second. Dykema added two victories to his resume on the first day of competition. Senior Brian Carman won his match on day one, but both he and Dykema lost their matches on day two.
The most recent event for men’s tennis was the Western Michigan University Invitational. The Musketeers came away with a doubles championship as Dykema and Carman teamed up to take the title in flight C. In singles play, both Dykema and Carman tallied a victory for the Musketeers.
Next up for the women will be the University of Cincinnati Invitational on Oct. 9 and 10. The men will be back in action for their final fall event at the ITA Regional, which takes place between Oct. 15 and 20 in Knoxville, Tenn.
