Leavenworth, KS – The University of Saint Mary men's tennis team demonstrated their fighting spirit this weekend, engaging in a nail-biting contest against No. 25 ranked Bethel College before ultimately falling by a slim margin of 3-4. The tightly contested matchup, stretched well into the afternoon, showcasing the Spire's grit and determination, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final point.
While the final score favored the visiting Threshers, the afternoon was far from a decisive victory. The Spires came out strong in the doubles competition. The No. 2 duo of Carlos Grimaldi and Nudem Koyuncu secured a crucial 6-2 victory over Bethel's Jonah Bergeron and Jorge Batista, giving Saint Mary an early momentum boost. However, Bethel responded as Petr Kollar and Zaidh Zihar edged out Evan Maritz and Nils Dueppe 7-5 in the top doubles flight. The pivotal doubles point came down to the No. 3 match, where Saint Mary's Jack Contrucci and Ryan Langdon battled back after dropping the first set to secure a thrilling 7-6 (7-4) victory over Bethel's James Menard and Billy Haoda, giving the Spires a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.
The singles matches were a true testament to the competitive spirit of both teams. In the No. 2 singles match, Saint Mary's Nils Dueppe delivered a dominant performance, dispatching Bethel's Petr Kollar in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. However, Bethel quickly answered as Jorge Batista overcame a tough first set to defeat Carlos Grimaldi 7-6 (11-9), 6-4 in the No. 1 contest.
The remaining singles matches were tightly contested. Bethel's Zaidh Zihar outlasted Evan Maritz in a grueling three-set battle, 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 6-2, while Rodrigo Sanchez secured a straight-set victory over Nudem Koyuncu 6-2, 6-4 in the No. 4 spot. Saint Mary's Jack Contrucci continued his strong day, earning a decisive 6-2, 6-4 victory over Moses Sawatzky in the No. 6 match. Unfortunately for the Spires, Bethel's Billy Haoda claimed the No. 5 singles match 6-0, 6-0 over Leyton Ross, ultimately securing the narrow 4-3 team victory for the Threshers.
This close defeat against a top-25 opponent will undoubtedly serve as a confidence booster for the University of Saint Mary men's tennis team. It highlights their ability to compete at a high level and underscores the potential for a successful season. While the loss is a tough pill to swallow, the Spires proved they are a force to be reckoned with and will undoubtedly be looking to build on this performance in their upcoming matches.
Up Next:
The University of Saint Mary men's tennis team will look to bounce back as they head back on the road to take on Southwestern College on Monday, March 24th at 1pm. Fans can continue to follow the team's progress and schedule updates on the official Saint Mary athletics website.
