While the calendar still says winter, the Washington University men’s tennis team already started its spring season-on carpet. The Bears began their season this weekend with a jolt, falling to Division II powerhouse Southwest Baptist University 6-1 at the Frontenac Racquet Club.
The lone highlight for the Bears was sophomore Shaul Yecheskel, who brought home a convincing 6-1, 6-3 victory in No. 6 singles.
The rest of Bears struggled.
Junior Brian Alvo came up short in No. 1 singles, losing 6-4, 6-4. Freshman Neil Kenner was overmatched 6-1, 6-0 in No. 2 singles. Senior Max Schlather lost 7-6, 6-4 in No. 3 singles and senior Dave Genovese came up short in a closely contest match 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in No. 4 singles. Freshman Ari Rosenthal lost 6-4, 7-6 in No. 5 singles.
Alvo and freshman Zack Fayne recorded a victory in No. 3 doubles, winning 8-6. No. 1 doubles team Kenner and Rosenthal lost 8-2 and No. 2 doubles Schlather and Yecheskel lost 8-5.
The match was played on an extremely fast carpet.
“It was tough to play on such a fast surface. Despite losing, I think that we gave a solid effort,” Rosenthal said.
“Team-wise, I think if we want to be competitive at the end of the year, I think we need to have more intensity than we had,” Yecheskel said.
While WU had a No. 7 ranking in Division III coming into the match, SBU was ranked No. 13 among Division II schools. SBU also features the No. 1 doubles team as well as the No. 3 and No. 19 singles players Division II. WU players, however, hold impressive credentials as well. Alvo is ranked No. 15, Kenner No. 35, and Schlather No. 48 in Division III singles. Kenner and Rosenthal are ranked No. 6 nationally in doubles while Yecheskel and Schlather are No. 17.
While the loss was obviously disappointing, the team did gain valuable indoor competitive playing experience. This match should help the Bears prepare for the National Indoor Championships, which will be held Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 in St. Peter, Minnesota.
“I think it’s important playing matches like that against tough Division II teams,” coach Roger Follmer said. “I think it’s advantageous to play that level of competition. Tennis is similar to swimming and track; the only way to see signs of improvement is to get a few losses. You have to learn to adjust in match play. You can’t substitute like in basketball. I am hoping at the end of the month they take something from Saturday’s match and apply it at the Indoor Championships.”
“Everything before indoors is just getting a feel for working together as a team and tuning up for what is really important for us which is national indoors,” Alvo said. “At the beginning of every season you have to make adjustments. It’s about preparation and learning how to make adjustments in matches. What we gained is just working together as a team and learning what we have to do for upcoming matches in the future.”
“We have the highest expectations for this season,” sophomore player Dave Weingeist said. “Our loss Saturday has only strengthened our motivation and desire to work hard for the goals we have set.”
In addition to the Men’s Indoor Championship, the team will compete in the Principia College tournament held in Elsah, Illinois from Feb. 14-15.