Tennis teams continue GLIAC play

Women end losing streak, men continue dominant play

Finding themselves on a seven game losing streak, the Ferris women’s tennis team got back on the right track with a win over Davenport last weekend.

The Bulldogs played host to both Purdue Northwest and Davenport on March 31 and April 1, respectively. While the men continued their dominance so far in the GLIAC, the women’s team was able to get back in the win column with the weekend split.

It’s been a tale of two seasons so far for the men’s and women’s tennis programs. After a tough Florida trip against some of the top tennis programs in the nation, it was a tough return to GLIAC play with two losses right out the gate for the women (7-9, 1-3 GLIAC). The men (11-3, 3-0 GLIAC) have continued their pursuit to remain at the top of the conference standings.

“Overall the season has been going great for both teams,” head coach Mark Doren said. “The women are in a little bit of a skid right now, but that’s just something based on scheduling that I did before the season.”

In Friday’s match, the women came out with a strong performance by getting the clean sweep in doubles over the Pride. Purdue Northwest pushed back in the singles, claiming four out of six to take the match. Ana Sofia Hernandez Ferrer won in three sets 6-3, 3-6 and 7-5. Her sister, Maria Hernandez Ferrer, won as well by default, as her opponent issued a walkover.

Esunge Ndumbe plays a ball in Ferris’ victory over Wayne State on March 31. Photo by: Mariana Searl | Torch Photographer

The men went 3-0 in the doubles portion and kept that momentum all throughout their match. With a final score of 5-1 with standout performances from Yannick Alexander Mader (6-1 and 6-2), Alessandro Santangelo (6-0 and 6-1) and Esunge Ndumbe (6-1 and 2-1), the men took care of the Pride.

Saturday brought a new test for both squads with Davenport. With the men focused on keeping the course before next weekend’s big match with Grand Valley and the women attempting to end their seven game losing streak, staying focused was key for the Bulldogs. In a combined beatdown of 12-2 between the two teams, it was a sure confidence booster to close out the weekend.

“It was such a fun day on the courts for Bulldog tennis,” Doren said. “I’m very happy for the women’s team, who snapped a losing streak against a good team.”

A true showing of grit came from the women. Even with a loss of the doubles point, many players were able to redeem themselves from just a day prior. Morgan Waller won her match in 6-2 and 6-1, and Sophie Devaattila came out swinging with 6-3 and 6-2 wins herself. The women claimed their first win since the spring break trip with a score of 5-2.

On the men’s side, they fell in only one of the doubles matches and were able to push their way into a clean 6-0 performance for each of the singles matches. Freshman Kacper Pasielak got the call for the #6 single and earned his first collegiate win in three sets 7-5, 2-6 and 10-6.

Both teams will only have one game this upcoming weekend, where they will take on arch rival Grand Valley in another rendition of the famed Anchor-Bone Classic at the Premier Athletic Club in Grandville at 5:00 p.m.  on April 8. The Lakers sit at first in the GLIAC for women and fourth for the men.