CLINTON, Iowa – The Illinois College men's tennis team came up on the short end of two matches on Saturday afternoon, falling to North Central College, 8-1, and to Loras College, 7-2. The Blueboys drop to 1-3 on the year as they now take a break from competition until mid-March.
In the first match of the day, North Central jumped out to a 3-0 lead in doubles play.
Miguel Vaca and
Jonah Wheeland came the closest to victory, but lost by a score of 8-4 to Justin Howes and Lucas Pindak. The Cardinals then won the first three completed singles matches to lock up the win. The lone Illinois College point of the match came from Vaca at No. 1 singles with a 6-1, 6-4 triumph over Victor Krueger.
In the late afternoon, Loras claimed 8-3 victories at Nos. 2 and 3 doubles to offset a win from Vaca and Wheeland at No. 1 doubles, 8-6, over Charlie Harris and Tommy Linkenheld. The Duhawks wrapped up the win by taking five of six singles matches, though Vaca was once again able to secure a point for the Blueboys with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Harris.
Jacob McQueen came close to getting another point for the Blueboys, but he was outlasted by Ryan Scheidt at No. 5, 5-7, 6-4, 6-10.
IC will make its home debut on March 16, hosting Fontbonne University at 12 p.m.
