MC Women’s Tennis defeats Johnson University; Men’s team ties

    On Tuesday, Oct. 21 the Maryville College men’s and women’s tennis team hosted Johnson University at home. In a long battle, the women’s team defeated Johnson University 6-0, while the men’s team tied 4-4.

    The women’s team completed all doubles matches gaining an early 3-0 lead against the Royals. The men’s team also gained an early 2-1 lead against the Royals, losing one match by default.

    The Lady Scots gained important singles wins against the Royals. Maddy Little def. Olivia Yates 6-3, 6-2. Caitlin Jennings def. Alexis Curtis 6-0, 6-0. Katie Stephens def. Danielle Keehner 6-1,6-4.

    The Men’s team completed 4 singles matches against the Royals. Daniel Silva def. Jonathan Niguyen 6-0, 6-4. Markos Herrero def. Jordan Vanderheuvel 6-0, 6-1. Charles Russel was defeated by Dale Hathaway 1-6, 4-6. Dakota McMahan was defeated by Benjamin Cutshall 2-6, 1-6.

    Neither the men’s nor women’s teams were able to complete all of the single matches. MC and JU coaches decided collectively to call the match that evening due to the impending difficulties brought on by the lack of light. The MC courts do not have lights, and lack of proper eye-sight and the dark pushed the coaches to call the remaining singles matches at a tie.

    Although the circumstances were frustrating, some of the players were still excited about the first home match of the 2015-2016 season.

     “I loved being cheered on by my teammates, coaches and alumni,” said freshman Savannah Baine. “Win or lose, we do it together and that is a dynamic I have never experienced. It felt like us freshman were officially welcomed into the family.”

    The team plans to continue that dynamic into the spring 2016 season as they open against Averett University on Feb. 20 at home.