The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

    Men’s tennis team record above .500

    The men’s tennis team resumed its indoor season this weekend after playing on the sunny outdoor courts of California during spring break.

    The team remains a game ahead of .500 on Saturday after splitting its dual matches in McPhee with Ripon College and Macalester College (Minn.).

    “It definitely played to our advantage to play them on our home court at McPhee,” junior Bob Yunker said. “The ball does bounce faster in McPhee than on the outdoor courts. We had to make that adjustment after playing outside. It took a little getting used to.”

    The team suffered a tough 3-4 loss to Ripon on Saturday morning.

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    “We got off to a slow start,” coach Tracy Saloka said. “I was disappointed with how we started the day.”

    The Blugolds turned things around as they routed through Macalester, 5-2. Junior Joe Johnston picked up a hard- fought win at No.1 singles, 6-4, 6-4.

    “We started out a lot faster against Macalester,” Yunker said. “We got the doubles point from early on and dominated the singles matches for the most part. Our guys stepped it up, especially the guys down the line.”

    Yunker played a third set tiebreaker instead of a full third set because of time restraints. Yunker, playing at No. 2 singles, suffered a loss, 2-6, 6-2 (10-8).

    With the win wrapped up for the ‘Golds, Yunker’s tiebreaker was a convenient way to end the match.

    “The score didn’t reflect what had really took place in the match,” Saloka said. “The loss wasn’t reflected by Bob’s effort. In a tiebreaker, a couple lucky shots can result in a quick win.”

    Macalester fell to Ripon in the afternoon, two games to five.

    Eau Claire’s dual match against Macalester came down to a tiebreaker in No. 3 doubles. Yunker teamed up with sophomore Andrew Kalio to win the eight-game pro set, 8-7.

    The morning was less favorable to the Blugolds because of their slow start.

    “We came out a little slow with our doubles matches,” Yunker said. “We had our chances. It just seemed like it wasn’t meant to be.”

    Sophomore Ryan Gruhlke and junior Steve Matuszewski were the only victorious doubles combination, winning 8-7 at No. 2 doubles.

    At No. 1 doubles, Johnston and freshman Jon Snodgrass lost a close set, 8-6. Yunker and Kalio fell 8-4, playing at No. 3 doubles.

    The two teams split the singles matches, each winning three.

    After seeing the top three Blugold netters fall in their singles matches, Snodgrass, freshman Matt Widder and Matuszewski all claimed victory to finish the match.

    “It’s tough to beat a good team when you don’t get a doubles team point,” Widder said. “Ripon has a good team this year. Winning four out of six (singles matches) can be tough to do every time. We were disappointed to lose to Ripon. They were a team that we needed to beat.”

    The 1-1 weekend mark leaves the Blugolds with a 9-8 record on the season. The ‘Golds will resume their outdoor season when weather permits.

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    Men’s tennis team record above .500