The men’s tennis team took the third best record at 1-2 from the four-team WIAC team conference tournament on Friday and Saturday.

UW-Oshkosh went 3-0 and UW-La Crosse recorded a 2-1 mark. UW-Whitewater left the tournament without a win at 0-3.

Oshkosh beat the Blugolds in all six singles matches and the three doubles matches to blank the ‘Golds, 7-0.

“Oshkosh was the best team out of all the teams there,” junior Joe Johnston said. “They don’t really have any standout players – they’re just so deep.”

Johnston and teammate freshman Jon Snodgrass lost their No. 1 doubles match against Oshkosh, 8-3. Johnston lost his No. 1 singles match 6-4, 6-4.

Johnston said he competed well in both matches but just didn’t get the win. He said he is looking forward to playing the teams next week.

The individual conference tournament will take place in La Crosse Friday and Saturday. Doubles matches will be played on Friday and singles matches will be played on Saturday.

“You’re kind of playing more for yourself,” Johnston said. “Individual scores will mean more this weekend.”

In addition to the WIAC teams, St. Scholastica (Minn.) and Winona State (Minn.) also will be participating in this weekend’s individual tournament.

The Blugolds recorded their only win of the team tournament against Whitewater. The match was tied at three before junior Steve Matuszewski beat Aaron Knautz in a three-set tiebreaker, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 to give the ‘Golds the winning point.

“Both guys knew it was up to them,” coach Tracy Saloka said. “The win was big for him as a player and great for the team.”

Freshman Matt Widder credited Matuszewski for the win.
“(Matuszewski) really stepped up to win that,” Widder said. “Everything was on the line for us there, and he pulled it out.”

At No. 5 singles, Widder won his match against Whitewater, 6-2, 6-3. He lost his matches against Oshkosh, 6-2, 7-5 and La Crosse, 6-4, 6-2.

“Oshkosh is a strong team, top to bottom,” Widder said. “Our guys were in their matches, but the good teams win the crucial points when they need to. They did that.”

Eau Claire lost its third match to La Crosse, 7-0. The Johnston and Snodgrass combination at No. 1 doubles recorded the lone Blugold win, 8-4, in the eight-game pro set. The ‘Golds played the rest of their matches close but couldn’t finish with a win.

“There were times where the games were close, but the other guy won the important points when he needed to,” Saloka said. “Especially in the doubles matches, where every team is beatable.”

Saloka said a team only gets one chance and you have to make the most of it, which Johnston and Snodgrass did.

“We have to play better than we did this weekend,” Saloka said. “No one’s going to hand anything to us.” .