The Tabor College tennis teams kicked off the new season last week with a plethora of activity. Both the Bluejay women and men were defeated at home Friday by highly regarded Baker Unversity, 9-0.
"Baker was a tough match to open the season with for both our men and women, but I felt like both teams competed hard," coach Lonnie Isaac said. "In both cases, Baker might be the best team on our schedule this year, outside of our region."
In singles, No. 1 Laurel Delameter lost to Marti Eidson 4-6, 4-6; Ashlee Helmley lost to Danielle Cartier 2-6, 1-6; Jennifer Proffitt lost to Megan Lamb 3-6, 2-6; Danni Brucks lost to Kelsey Stephens 1-6, 4-6; Erin Wiebe lost to Mellissa Shank 2-6, 0-6; and Erica Scolfield lost to Ashley Hutchinson 0-6, 2-6.
In doubles play, Delamater and Helmley fell to Eidson and Lamb 4-8, Brucks and Proffitt lost to Shank and Struble 6-8 and Wiebe and Scofield lost to Stephens and Caritier 2-8.
In men's singles, Michael Hagenlost to Peter Mazel 1-6, 0-6; Aaron Friesen lost to Jose Mota 0-6, 0-6; Jason Reiswig lost to Michael Ferierbend 2-6, 3-6; Andrew Braun lost to Joe Ahmadian 3-6, 1-6; Chad Gayer lost to Hunter Hollarn 2-6, 1-6 and Shane Miller lost to Trevor Hedberg 1-6, 1-6.
On Saturday, the men's team was back on the court to battle William Jewell and Emporia State. The Bluejays came away with a 6-3 victory over William Jewell, but lost to ESU 2-7.
"The 6-3 win over William Jewell is a good indication of how much our men's team is improved over last year," Isaac said. "Last year we lost 0-9 to this team, so this was a significant win for our program as we try to move back up our conference and regional ladder."
In singles, Hagen defeated Andrew Newell 6-0, 7-6; Friesen defeated Chad Thomason 3-6, 6-1 (10-3); Reiswig beat Michael Holmes 6-1, 6-4; Braun downed Brent Scarfino 6-3, 6-2; and Gayer fell to Clint Stull 1-6, 3-6.
In doubles play, Hagen and Reiswig defeated Newell and Holmes 8-3; Braun and Adrian lost Thomason and Fine 6-8; and Friesen and Miller defeated Stull and Scarfino 8-3.
"Against Emporia State we played well enough to win the dual but came up short," Isaac said. "We lost three matches in the third set of tie-breakers, which could have swung the match in our favor."
In singles play versus ESU, Hagen defeated Carlos Aquirre 5-7, 7-5 (10-6); Friesen lost to Kevin Arnhold 5-7, 1-6; Reiswig lost to Tim Garner 6-4, 5-7 (5-10); Braun lost to Chris Irick 0-6, 1-6; Miller lost to Spencer Mugrove 3-6, 0-6 and Gayer lost to Blake Fiene 2-6, 6-7.
In doubles play, Hagen and Reiswig defeated Aquirre and Arnhold 9-8; Braun/Adrian lost to Garner and Irick 7-9 and Miller and Friesen lost to Fiene and Musgrove 2-8.
"All in all I feel like we are off to a good start," Isaac said. "The top third of our men's lineup played extremely well for this early in the season.
"Individually, Michael and Jason had a good day at No. 1 doubles and Michael was able to pick up two solid wins at No. 1 singles. It's nice to have him back with us this year (because) he gives us a great presence at the top of our lineup and has proven to be a great leader with such a young team."
Coming-The Bluejay men and women were to play host to Central Christian on Monday, then will travel to Bartlesville, Okla., Thursday, to battle Oklahoma Wesleyan and John Brown University.
