Bulldog tennis heats up

Men's win lone game, women split matches

Ferris State men’s and women’s tennis took action this past weekend, with the men beating Wayne State on Sunday, April 14, and the women splitting their weekend against Saginaw Valley on Saturday, April 13 and Wayne State on Sunday, April 14.

Ferris State tennis is heating up for both men’s and women’s teams, as the men enjoy an eight-game win streak while the women posted a six-game streak before their loss to Wayne State. The men’s lone victory came in a 4-3 win over the Warriors. The women’s split came from a 5-2 win over the Cardinals before a 6-1 loss against the Warriors.

Women’s tennis

Four wins in the women’s six-game streak came in conference play. The Bulldogs now host a record of 10-8 and 4-1 in GLIAC.

In the match against Saginaw Valley, the Bulldogs won the doubles point as sophomore Ana Sofia Hernandez Ferrer and senior Morgan Waller would win their matchup 6-4, and sophomore Maria Fernanda Hernandez Ferrer and freshman Katherine Earnest won 7-6.

In singles competition, Ferris dominated with senior Sophie Daavetilla, Ana, Maria and freshman Aimee Reynoso, all winning their matches in two sets to secure the victory.

Sunday’s loss to the Warriors ended the Bulldogs’ win streak, which dated back to March 16.

Daavetilla feels the team’s energy and how it has helped this team and herself be better.

“I feel that everyone has been bringing so much energy and that motivates me to improve and be better,” Daavetilla said. “Everyone is so passionate and loves the sport, so it makes me want to be better for them. I think this team has stepped up individually in their roles, both on and off the court. This really helps the team chemistry and I feel has contributed a significant amount to our wins.”

Men’s tennis

The men’s team defeated Wayne State in their lone match this weekend to improve their overall record of 13-4 and 4-0 in GLIAC.

The Bulldogs won all of the doubles matches, with Jan Koupil and Benjamin Lortie winning 6-3, Esunge Ndumbe and Alessandro Santangelo winning 7-6, and Kevin Kovacs and Yannic-Alexander Mader winning 6-4.

In singles competition, Ferris State’s Koupil won in three sets, Santangelo in two sets, and Kovacs in three sets to secure the 4-3 win for the Bulldogs.

Head coach Mark Doren is ecstatic about the team’s performance as they enact revenge on Wayne State.

“[It] was absolutely awesome,” Doren said. “We won the regular season last year and then lost in the championship tournament to Wayne State. It was great to beat them at their place today. Their number one doubles is ranked number two in the country and we won all three doubles today. Our goal was to win the doubles point and we dominated doubles.”

Both teams will be at home this weekend, Friday, April 19. Match time is set for 10:00 a.m. for the women, and men’s match time is set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, with match time set for 10:00 a.m. for the women and 2:00 p.m. for the men’s team.

Sophomore Esunge Ndumbe serves during a previous match on March 15. Photo courtesy of Torch Archives

CE – AM