Fort Wayne, IN – Alma College Tennis opened MIAA conference play this week, playing a pair of matches. The Scots were felled on both sides in the conference opener by Hope College, before splitting the day at the University of Saint Francis in non-conference action.
MEN
Hope 7, Alma 0
Alma was swept by Hope in their first taste of MIAA tennis this Spring. The Flying Dutch claimed all three doubles matches, before going on to sweep the singles lineup as well.
University of Saint Francis 7, Alma 0
Alma headed to Indiana on Saturday, playing shorthanded against USF. The final score ended up 7-0 in favor of the hosts despite several contests needing the tiebreaker.
Alma dropped the two doubles matches that were contested on the day, with USF claiming the doubles point after a walkover a #3.
August Sack was one of three Scots who forced a tiebreaker. At #2 singles, Sack rebounded from a 6-1 defeat in the first set, winning the second 6-0. This matchup was as closely contested as it gets, with even the tiebreaker needing a tiebreaker. Sack ended up falling, but his opponent needed to go beyond regulation, with the final at 12-10.
Down the lineup,
John Laxton also forced a tiebreaker in the second set, with his opponent winning 7-5 to grab the #4 singles match.
At #5 singles,
Daniel Hickey fell in a tiebreaker in the opening set, before being bested 6-1.
WOMEN
Hope 7, Alma 0
Alma opened MIAA conference play against the defending conference champions in Hope College. A tall task, the Scots dropped all three doubles matches, giving Hope the doubles team point. Despite a had fought effort, the Scots were unable to take a point off the Flying Dutch.
Alma 6, University of Saint Francis 1
The Scots rebounded on Saturday, posting a dominant performance over USF to get back in the win column.
Kayla Weller and
Leah Wronikowski won 6-3 at #1 doubles, and the due of
Jada Zerlaut and
Karly Kushner picked up the doubles team point with a 6-1 win at #2.
Salma Laraichi and
Holly Hall were awarded the win via walkover at #3 to round out doubles play.
In singles play, USF was able to score their lone point of the contest, with Kushner falling at #1 singles in a tiebreaker. Wronikowski was victorious at #2 by a final of 6-4, 6-2. Weller won 6-2, 6-2 at #3.
At #4, Zerlaut defeated her opponent 6-1, 6-0.
Holly Hall didn't allow a single game to go her opponent's way, winning 6-0, 6-0 at #5. Rounding things out, Laraichi was awarded a win via walkover at #6.
The Scots return to conference action with a trip to Calvin University this week.
