By: Miguel Vaca won three of the four matches he was involved in on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough for the men’s tennis team in 7-2 and 8-1 losses.
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Illinois College men's tennis team couldn't build on the momentum of their first win of the season on Saturday, falling to St. Norbert, 7-2, and to Lawrence, 8-1.
Miguel Vaca was involved in all three of the points that the Blueboys earned, but IC fell to 1-11 (0-3 Midwest Conference) on the season.
The day's first match with St. Norbert was forced indoors to the King Fieldhouse as temperatures outside didn't meet the minimum required by MWC rules. Vaca and
Michael Connolly took a point out of doubles for IC with an 8-4 win at No. 1, but the Blueboys went into singles trailing, 2-1.
Vaca picked up a second point for Illinois College with his 6-3, 6-2 win over Ben Vande Zande at No. 1 singles. Connolly was competitive with Alex Vandenberg at No. 2, but fell 6-3, 6-1. The Blueboys lost the other matches in straight sets as well to wrap up the 7-2 defeat.
Late in the day, Lawrence visited for a match under the Bellatti Tennis Complex lights. Vaca and Connolly were unable to secure a point for the Blueboys in doubles, losing 8-4, and the Vikings took a 3-0 lead into the singles portion of the match.
At No. 1, Vaca rallied from a set down for a 3-6, 7-5, 10-8 win to improve his record to 11-1 for the season.
Ryan Golab-Vice came close at No. 5 singles with a 6-4, 6-2 loss and
Elijah Rhoad was dealt a 6-2, 6-2 loss at No. 3 singles. The Vikings won the remaining three matches for an 8-1 victory.
The Blueboys wrap up the weekend with a home match against Ripon College tomorrow at 10 a.m. The match will be played outdoors at the Bellatti Tennis Complex unless rain interferes, in which case it will move to indoor courts in Quincy.
