Tennis teams have rough start to spring
By James Allen | Entertainment Editor
The University of Indianapolis men’s and women’s tennis teams have started their spring season.
The men’s team has started rough with a 2-3 record, and the women’s team started the spring season with a 1-2 record. However, head coach John Venter said both teams are showing promise.
“Our goal this season is to make it to the NCAA tournament,” Venter said. According the Venter, the teams have a hard road ahead of them.
“The talent levels are very high, but not a lot of experience,” Venter said.
The men’s and women’s teams traveled to Franklin College on Feb. 28. Both teams went 9-0 against Franklin College, adding another win to both of their records.
On Feb. 21, the men’s team traveled to Greencastle, Ind., to face the Depauw University Tigers. The lone win for UIndy came when junior Johnathan Hack won 6-1 at No. 2 singles against senior Bryan Heck of Depauw. UIndy lost to the Tigers, 1-8.
In a weekend series at the UIndy Tennis Center, the men’s team was defeated by Ferris State University on Feb. 14, 0-9, and Grand Valley State University on Feb. 15, 3-6.
“We would have liked to have done better,” Venter said.
The men’s team defeated Wayne State University on Feb. 8 winning 6-3. Junior Kyle Prow defeated WSU’s sophomore Eric Szydlowski 6-1 and 6-3 in No. 3 singles. Three other Greyhounds defeated WSU players.
The women’s team started the spring season with a 3-6 loss to Ferris State University on Feb. 14.
Grand Valley State University came to the Tennis Center on Feb. 15, giving UIndy the second defeat of the spring season. The ‘Hounds did not win any of its matches, falling to GVSU 0-9.
Freshman Bob Helfst, a new recruit for the men’s team, said he is looking forward to this season.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how far we can go as a team this season,” Helfst said. “Since we have a lot of experience leading and some fresh talent coming on, it’s really up to us how far we go.”
Junior captain Aly Neidlinger said that making the tournament is one of the team’s goals.
“We want to get everyone to feel connected as a team and work hard together,” Neidlinger said.
