The University of Indianapolis women’s tennis team has lost its last four matches. The team most recently fell to Illinois State University. On the other hand, the men’s tennis team is on a three game win streak after sweeping DePauw University.
Illinois State defeated the women 7-0. During the match, junior Selenay Heper played the longest set by a Greyhound this season. In fourth slot of singles play Heper won the first set 7-6, but her opponent forced a third set after Heper fell 6-3. The two battled for 22 games before Heper lost 12-10.
In doubles, seniors Allie Smith and Macey Speer lost their fourth match of the season by two games or less, losing 7-5.
Due to the snowfall on Sunday, Feb. 14, the women’s match against Southern Illinois University was called following the fourth SIU point, the deciding number in Division I tennis. The final score was 4-0 in SIU’s favor.
Prior to playing SIU, the women were defeated by Butler University 6-1 on Feb. 12.
Sophomore Florence Renard settled into the first singles position and knocked off her opponent in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-3. Renard was the lone Greyhound to secure a victory.
Despite the lost matches this season, Smith is using the experience to push herself and the team forward.
“One thing we are focusing on a lot is the mental aspect of it and staying mentally tough, because a lot of times that is the biggest factor, having confidence in yourself and doing the right things on the court and staying focused,” Smith said. “We need to keep our confidence and [have] high energy levels with each match that we play.”
At DePauw, the men swept the Tigers 9-0. Sophomore Christoph Drechsler and freshman Magnus Mueller defeated their doubles opponents 8-0. Senior Luke Hubert and junior Marco Razo won 8-3. The final doubles match was won by junior Arklon Huertas del Pino and sophomore Andrea Morlet. The duo won 9-8 (6).
Singles was not much different. Huertas del Pino, Drechsler, Hubert, Mueller and Razo all won in two sets. Morlet finalized the Hounds’ sweep after winning his match in three sets, 6-0, 3-6, 6-1.
Against Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis on Feb. 13, the men defeated the Jaguars 5-2. Despite the win, the game did not start out in the Hounds’ favor. The Jaguars won two of the doubles to secure a one-point lead heading into singles, but UIndy responded with five wins in singles play to earn the win.
Huertas del Pino competed in the first singles slot and defeated his IUPUI opponent with two sets of 6-2. Drechsler also won in two sets. Mueller earned his first collegiate singles victory with a 7-5, 6-4 success. Hubert’s and Razo’s match were decided with tiebreakers that ended in the Hounds favor.
At Butler, the men fought for a 4-3 win over the Bulldogs on Feb. 11.
After UIndy lost the first doubles spot, Drechsler and Mueller defeated their opponents in No. 2 doubles, 6-3, to even the score. With the last point on the line, Hubert and Razo delivered a 6-4 win over the Bulldogs.
In the top singles slot, Huertas del Pino rallied after losing the first set. Huertas del Pino ultimately won 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. Hubert followed with a 6-3, 7-6 decision. With the Hounds one point away from securing the win, Razo sealed the deal with a 6-4, 6-1 decision.
Drechsler believes he’s part of a very special team, despite the lack of focus from time to time.
“We have a very talented team right now, and the only thing that is missing is a little bit of discipline and more focus during practice,” he said. “We are also missing the basics, so we are trying to get back to the basics and do what we are supposed to do on the tennis court.”
