Kayla Springer | The Echo
Taylor tennis teams found both success and struggle in a doubleheader this weekend, securing wins over Goshen College but falling to Davenport University.
The men's team defeated Goshen College 5-4, with senior Juan Ramirez and freshman Victor Cheng securing two wins for the team in straight sets. Freshman Andre Danelli then grabbed a win at No. 3 singles to earn the winning point for Taylor.
Ramirez went 4-0 in the doubleheader and was named Crossroads League Men's Tennis Player of the Week. He noticed difference between the two matches on Saturday, believing that the team left everything on the courts in the first match against Goshen, but that the heat got to the Trojans in the second match against Davenport.
The Trojans only managed to gain two points against Davenport. Ramirez won in No. 1 singles and the duo of Ramirez and junior Alex Jung taking control at No. 1 doubles.
Head coach Don Taylor agreed that fatigue got the best of the Trojans against Davenport but said the guys still played very well. Taylor also stated that the team's strengths are unity and depth, but that the team still needs to improve on the amount of unforced errors they give up to opponents.
The women's tennis team displayed similar dominance against Goshen College; all nine Trojan courts won in straight sets to sweep the Maple Leafs 9-0.
In doubles against Goshen, sophomores Molly Fletchall and Taelor Grose took the win at No. 1, sophomore Mikayla Schultz and junior Betsy Jones won at the No. 2 spot, and junior Annika Zeilstra and sophomore Courtney Clark claimed victory at No. 3.
In singles against the Maple Leafs, freshman Alexa Kling and senior Ashlen Nisley held their opponents to zero in No. 2 and No. 6 singles, respectively.
Davenport was a different story for Taylor, as Kling and freshman Molly Pile won in straight sets in singles to collect the Trojans' only two points.
"This past weekend was definitely a learning experience for the team," said Fletchall. "Statistically, Goshen is a good matchup for our team and our doubles matches really set the tone to succeed in singles play."
Both teams are back in action at home tomorrow, as the men take on Anderson University at 10 a.m. and the women face off against Concordia University at 4 p.m.
"Photograph by Fayth Glock"
