ROCKFORD, Ill. - Western Illinois men's tennis (1-6) dropped two in double header action on Saturday (Feb. 25). Northern Illinois shut out the Leathernecks 7-0 in the afternoon match and Dayton won 6-1 in the nightcap.
"We played against Northern Illinois in the fall and did quite well, winning a number of matches," head coach Chris Kane said. "Today, without four of our players who competed against NIU in the fall, we were outplayed. We competed well, and gave it great effort, but the talent differential was too great. We played much better against Dayton in the nightcap. Patrick Hammers and Ben Yue played the best doubles match of their careers, and won decisively at No. 1 by a score of 8-4. Ben also showed great improvement from last year, winning the No. 2 singles match in two very close straight sets. Ben played No. 7 last year, and due to our four players being out for the year, is now playing No. 2 singles. That's quite a jump in the lineup for Ben. Yet he won his third singles match of the year at No. 2 today, and now leads the team in singles matches won."
At No. 1 singles, Patrick Hammers put up a fight in each of his matches before succumbing to NIU (6-3, 6-2) and Dayton (6-2, 7-5). Ben Yue dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision in No. 2 singles competition against NIU and earned a victory over Dayton winning 7-6, 7-5. Jim Capalbo could only muster one point in his first match of the day against NIU (6-0, 6-1), but fought back against Dayton. He ultimately fell 6-2, 6-4.
Andrew Yopp lost both of his matches at No. 5 singles 6-1, 6-0. No. 6 singles player, Daniel Sweeney dropped his opening match to NIU (6-2, 6-2) and the second to Dayton (6-2, 6-1). NIU and Dayton each earned wins over Justin Liss at No. 6 singles (6-0, 6-0).
In doubles competition, No. 1 team of Hammers and Yue picked up the only Leatherneck win of the day over Dayton (8-4), but fell to NIU in their first match of the day (8-1). The No. 2 duo of Capalbo and Yopp and No. 3 pair of Sweeney and Liss dropped each of their matches to their opponents.
The Leathernecks are back in competition on Saturday (March 3) in Chicago, Ill. where they take on Roosevelt. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. at the Midtown Athletic Club.
A Western Illinois Tennis Alumni Reunion will also take place at the Midtown Athletic Club on March 3 beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. To sign up contact Matt Wittig at 309-298-1190 or Aaron Kastner at aj-kastner@wiu.edu. Those wishing to attend must RSVP by Thursday (March 1).
What: Western Illinois Tennis Alumni Reunion
When: Saturday, March 3 - 5-8 p.m.
Where: Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago, Ill.
Cost: $10/person
RSVP by Thursday, March 1
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