Pat Mullen returns a serve in his 6-2 singles win which helped the Knights to a 9-0 win over Dominican. Photo by Mac Slavin
SETH DRURY ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The men’s tennis team went 2-0 in their first home matches of the season as they ousted Domincan University 9-0 and Simpson 8-1.
In the first matches of the day the Knights faced off against Dominican. Things started well for the Knights as they swept the singles matches 6-0. Andrew Kahler, playing No. 1-singles, won convincingly, 6-1, 6-3. At No. 3 singles, Aaron Masterson won 6-1, 6-0 over Louis Hernandez.
“In order for us to get wins and be successful we had to work the point and stay in the point long enough to create errors on the opponents’ side,” head coach Ben Oestreich said.
Chris Gustas bounced back from a 3-6 deficit in set one at No. 3 singles. He beat his Dominican opponent 6-1, forcing a tie breaker in the second set.
“We only dropped one set in singles all day and we came back and won that match in a tiebreak 10-3, so I was really pleased and impressed with how complete, how focused and intense we were all day,” Oestreich said.
In doubles, the Knights swept Dominican. At No. 2 doubles, Andrew Kahler and James Nguyen defeated Louis Hernandez and Bobby Herman 8-0.
“I was hoping we would come out excited to play at home especially to play on the courts that we practice on every day,” Oestreich said.
In the Knights’ second match of the day they faced off against conference foe Simpson. This was the first conference match of the year for the Knights.
Singles play for the Knights was highlighted by Kahler, Mullen, Masterson and Gustas’ second wins of the day.
On the doubles side, Wartburg dropped their first match of the day at No. 3 doubles as Wilson Walker and Masterson fell 8-5.
“It was really nice getting the win against Simpson. They have a new coach and we faced almost all new players from last year. It was good to see that we didn’t lose a step in conference and gained more confidence,” Oestreich said.
With the win the Knights improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in IIAC play.
The Knights will break until March 1 when they head to Hilton Head, S.C. to play four schools in four days.
“We’re going to take this week off. We’ll get together on Wednesday and then hit it hard. Our plan with our schedule was to hit it hard in January, step back away and then get started again starting off in South Carolina over break,” Oestreich said.