In its final regular season competition of the spring, the men’s tennis team went 1-2 over the weekend against WIAC opponents at the Kolf Sports Center Complex in Oshkosh.
The ‘Golds topped UW-Whitewater 4-1, then lost to host UW-Oshkosh by the same score on Saturday. The matches were moved indoors because of rain, and due to limited time and court availability, were stopped when one team earned four points.
Saturday’s 1-1 split leaves the Blugold men with a 12-8 dual meet record this spring. Against Whitewater, the ‘Golds earned the doubles point by taking the No. 1 and No. 3 flights. Senior Bob Yunker and junior Andrew Kallio’s win at No. 3 doubles bettered their season mark to an impressive 14-1. In singles, Eau Claire claimed victory at the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots.
“I think we played really, really well,” Kallio said. “We stayed close to La Crosse and Oshkosh and beat UW-Whitewater easily. I thought we had a good weekend.”
In the Oshkosh match, the singles was played first and the lone Eau Claire victory came from senior Joe Johnston, who took a 3-6, 6-4, 10-7 decision from Garth Larson. Larson’s only loss during the weekend came against Johnston.
“(Larson) was probably the best player there over the weekend,” sophomore Jon Snodgrass said. “That was good for Joe to go out like that in his last match.”
Snodgrass said he thought Eau Claire had to beat all three weekend opponents to have any chance of advancing to the regional tournament.
“Oshkosh and La Crosse are both top 10 in the region,” Snodgrass said. “Oshkosh will go for sure.”
The No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches against the Titans were not started due to inclement weather. Junior Ryan Gruhlke and senior Steve Matuszewksi beat their opponents 8-5 at the No. 2 doubles flight.
The Blugolds fell to UW-La Crosse 4-3 on Friday. The loss ended the Blugolds’ three-match winning streak.
Sophomore Matt Widder got things going for the ‘Golds with a 7-6, 6-1 victory over Nader Kreish at the No. 2 singles position. The win upped Widder’s record to 12-6 on the year. At No. 3 singles, Snodgrass rolled with a hard-earned 6-3, 5-7 (11-9) victory over Drew Pollek. With the victory, Snodgrass broke into double-digit wins on the season at 10-8.
“I just tried to keep the ball in play and keep the ball deep,” Snodgrass said. “I tried to stay patient and when I got my ball I tried to be aggressive and put it away. And that’s what I did.”
At. No. 4 singles, Gruhlke won his fourth match in a row with a 6-4, 6-4 route of Jon Palmer. The victory tied Gruhlke for the team lead in wins with a 13-5 mark.