Tennis Sweeps JSU 7-0 at Home Opener
So far undefeated in their matches, MC tennis is starting the season strong.
This past Friday, February 7, MC men’s and women’s tennis opened their season against Jackson State University. Neither team dropped a single match. Combined, MC tennis swept JSU 7-0.
The women played first, opening the impressive day at 11:00 a.m. The doubles point was quick and decisive, with all three teams winning. Emma Roberts and Julissa De Mata won 6-2 at line one; Katharina Weber and Rocio Martinez won 6-3 at line two; and Ann Cabot Stockett and Alizee Ripolles won 6-3 at line three.
From there, the team went into singles, where each overall match point counts as one point. Roberts won at line one 7-6 (7-0), 2-6; 11-9. De Mata won at line two 6-3, 6-4. Martinez won 6-4, 6-4 at line three. Weber won at line four 6-4, 6-4. Ripolles won 6-2, 6-7; 12-10 at line five. Anna Hudson won line six 6-4, 6-4. With all six singles matches and the doubles point secured, the Choctaws took the match 7-0.
Overall, the women’s team was pleased with the match. “Competing at home next to my teammates is a special feeling,” Roberts said. “The girls are ready to fight this season. Getting to hear our freshman, Kathi, yell that she won her first set, listening to Rocio fight for every point, and finishing the match watching Ali win in a third set tiebreak just makes me more and more excited for the season. I recommend coming out to watch my fellow senior, Jules, compete this season. She is one of my favorite tennis players to watch, and she’s a winner.”
Hudson, Roberts’ co-captain, could not agree more. “I felt super prepared as we went into our first match knowing that we have put in the work on and off the court,” Hudson said. “I am excited for more matches to come, and I am confident our group of girls can take the GSC title home this year!”
The men played following the women. Alvaro Saint Martin and Alex Blanchard started off the match strong, winning 7-5, while Rafeal Sabio and Gustavo Tedesco secured the win 6-4. Florian Walchar and Sergio Ramirez were set to play line three, but JSU defaulted due to sickness. Two out of three doubles matches secured the doubles point, making the Choctaws up 1-0 going into singles.
Tedesco and Blanchard both took their matches in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 and 6-3, 7-5 respectively. Walchar and Saint Martin both had decisive third set tiebreakers 10-2 and 10-3. Sabio played a full third, winning 6-2. JSU defaulted line six due to illness. With all six singles points secured, the Choctaws completed the sweep.
However, Blanchard thinks the team is just getting started. “We still felt a little rusty,” Blanchard said. “It's far from being perfect. Our tennis is not fully back yet, but it’s getting better everyday. We’re coming back slowly but surely. It's just the process, and we’ll be ready to roll on Sunday for the first regular season match. It was good to be back in the competition environment though.
Saint Martin was excited to finally take the court as a team. “The match felt great, and taking a win makes it feel even better. It's great to share it with the team.”
The teams are set to play next in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on Sunday, February 16.
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