By Jordan Fairchild
Elm Staff Writer
The Washington College men’s and women’s tennis teams had their season opener at Mary Washington College on Friday, March 12.
The Shoremen and Shorewomen were both bested by the Eagles 9—0.
At the number one spot in singles for the Shoremen, sophomore Landon Strober fell to the Eagles 6–1.
At number two, freshman Ian Hewes fell short of a win at 7–5. At number three, sophomore Andrew Province lost 6–0 and for number three, sophomore Christian Gruyon lost to the Eagles 6–3.
With only four players on the team, the Shoremen were unable to fill the remaining two singles matches and lost by default.
“The toughest part is the amount of matches we are playing to make up for not having a full lineup,” Strober said.
In doubles for the Shoremen, number one spot Hewes and Strober fell short 6–2 to the Eagles. At number two, Province and Gruyon lost 6–3.
The third doubles match was a defaulted loss for the Shoremen, as they didn’t have another doubles team to compete with.
“Our team is doing great at energy,” Province said. “Everyone is out on that court supporting each other every single point— we make four guys sound like twelve when we are out on the court.”
The Shorewomen also fell to the Eagles 9–0 on Friday.
In singles for the Shorewomen, freshman Piper Sartison competed at number one and lost 6–3, 6–2.
At number two, sophomore Irene Meng took the first set 6–7, but lost the last two sets 6–3 and 10–6. At number three, freshman María Cristina Diaz-Nazario also took her match to three sets, losing the first set 7–5, winning the second 4–6, and losing the third 10–8.
In the number four spot, junior captain Alisha White lost 6–2, 6–3. At No. 5, senior captain Ella Samer fell to the Eagles 6–2, 6–3. Sophomore Bin Nguyen at No. 6 lost 6–2, 6–3.
At the number one spot for the Shorewomen in doubles, White and Meng were defeated 8–3.
At number two, Samer and Sartison lost 8–6. At number three, Nguyen and Diaz-Nazario were bested 8–7.
“The results will undoubtedly get better as we get into the season,” said Diaz-Nazario “I think this is going to be a great season.”
On Saturday, March 13, the Shoremen went on to play another away game against Salisbury University. The Shoremen fell short to the Gulls 8–1.
At the number one spot in singles for the Shoremen, Strober lost 6–3, 7–6 to the Gulls.
At number two, Hewes secured his first collegiate victory, besting the Gulls in three sets, 1–6, 7–6, 16–14. At number three, Province lost 6–1, 6–3. At number four, Gruyon was defeated 6–1, 6–2.
The last two singles matches were lost by the Shoremen by default due to a lack of players.
In doubles, both Strober and Hewes and Province and Gruyon lost their matches 8–2 to the Gulls.
The last doubles match was a loss by default for the Shoremen.
Sunday morning, the Shoremen competed in their third match of the season away against the Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets. The Shoremen won 6–3, which now sets their record at 1–2.
In singles, number one Strober defeated the Yellow Jackets 6–1, 6–1.
At number two, Hewes also won 6–2, 6–3. Province won 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 at number three.
After losing the first set 4–6, Gruyon was able to win at number four with the next two games at 6–4 and 6–3.
Both Rescarte, number five, and Presley, number six, were victorious as the Yellow Jackets’ lack of players resulted in an automatic win.
In doubles, Hewes and Strober walked away with a 8–1 win over the Yellow Jackets at number one. Province and Gruyon won 8–4 at number three.
“We have a very young team, players and coaches, which has created a very motivated and hungry atmosphere. We are very driven and all we are focused on is bringing glory back to WAC,” Strober said,
On Sunday March 14, the Shorewomen competed in their second match of the season away against Methodist College, winning 6-3. This is their first win of the season, putting their overall record at 1-1.
In singles for the Shorewomen at number one, Sartison lost 6–2, 6–2.
At number two, Meng won 6–3, 0–6, 6–4. At number three, Diaz-Nazario lost 1–4. At No. 4, White won 7–5, 6–1.
At number five, Samer won 6–0, 6–0. At number six, Nguyen won 6–3, 6–2.
In doubles for the Shorewomen, at number one, Meng and White won 8–4. At number two, Sartison and Samer were defeated 8–1. At number three, Nguyen and Diaz-Nazario won 8–3.
Featured Photo caption: The Shoremen strategize against their opponents together. Photo by Justin Nash.