Both Baylor men’s and women’s tennis teams slipped to lose two matches this weekend at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center on Saturday and Sunday.
MEN
The No. 4 Bears lost to No. 19 Ole Miss in a decisive 4-3 defeat on Saturday at the Hawkins Indoor Center.
The Bears (5-2) finish their four-match homestand on a two-match losing streak, the only two losses of the season.
Although senior Julian Lenz and redshirt freshman Will Little won their doubles match by a score of 6-2, the Bears’ remaining doubles teams struggled. Senior Felipe Rios and freshman Jimmy Bendeck lost their match 6-4 after gaining an early lead.
Junior Max Tchoutakian and freshman Tommy Podvinski also gained an early lead, but couldn’t keep the Rebels at bay and lost 6-3 to give Ole Miss the doubles point.
During singles play, Lenz and Little kept up their winning performances. Lenz won Baylor’s first point after winning two sets 7-5 and 6-2. Little also contributed to Baylor’s point total with a 6-3, 7-6 victory.
Tchoutakian also scored for Baylor after winning two out of three sets to round out Baylor’s point total for the day.
Baylor head coach Matt Knoll was disappointed with the loss, but pleased with his team’s effort.
“I was really pleased with how we did once we were down 3-1,” Knoll said. “We really rose up and fought.”
Baylor looks forward to its chance at the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in Charlottesville, Va., which starts on Friday and ends on Monday.
WOMEN
The No. 15 Baylor women’s tennis team stumbled Sunday in a 4-3 loss against Washington University at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center.
Baylor failed to secure the doubles point as junior Blair Shankle and sophomore Theresa Van Zyl lost their match by a score of 6-3. Junior Rhiann Newborn and freshman Karina Traxler also struggled in their match and lost 6-4 to give the Huskies the point.
However, Baylor quickly tied the lead as Shankle won her singles match (6-3, 6-1) and scored Baylor’s first point. Senior Kiah Generette dropped her match after losing two sets (6-3, 6-4) and the Huskies regained the lead.
Newborn also scored for Baylor after winning the first and third sets of her match.
After being tied 2-2, Washington clinched the win with victories over Van Zyl and freshman Gabriela Ferreira. Freshman Karina Traxler achieved a victory after the match was decided to make the final score 4-3.
Baylor head coach Joey Scrivano was discontent with the energy he saw from his team Sunday and will look to improve that in the future.
“The bottom line is we just have to play with greater effort and greater energy,” Scrivano said. “The players know that. They know where they came up short, but it all starts with effort and energy, and we have to improve with those.”
The Lady Bears head to Gainesville, Fla., for a two-match road trip, beginning with the No. 3 Lady Gators at the University of Florida on Saturday.
