Story by Clara Firtos, Contributing Writer
The Murray State men’s tennis team fell against University of South Carolina 6-1 last Thursday and against Lipscomb 7-0 on Friday.
“Playing against these teams are tough because they are all ranked teams and they are good,” said junior Anjan Kashyab from Tell City, Indiana. “But the best way for us to bounce back is to look at the OVC matches. I think we have a good chance of doing well. Playing these teams help prepare us.”
During the singles competition against South Carolina, sophomore Marcel Ueltzhoeffer from Oftersheim, Germany played at No. 1. Ueltzhoeffer lost his single match at 6-3 and 6-4.
“I got my chances and I know I can play with those guys,” Ueltzhoeffer said. “I am now looking forward to the OVC Tournament.”
Will True, sophomore from Bowling Green, Kentucky, played at No. 2 and lost his match at 6-2 and 6-1. The rest of the men lost their matches. Freshman Javier Villar from Madrid, won his match due to his opponent’s walkover.
During the men’s doubles, Ueltzhoeffer and partner freshman from Mannheim, Germany David Schrott, were unable to continue their match because South Carolina took the 1-0 doubles point lead; this left the duo with a score of 4-5.
Ueltzhoeffer said although they were a point behind, they still could have won the match. He believes he and Schrott make a great team.
As for the match against Lipscomb, Murray State’s Ueltzhoeffer played as No. 1 again during the singles competition. No. 2 player True suffered a loss at 6-0 and 6-3. No. 3 Schrott was defeated by his opponent 6-0, 6-4.
During the doubles match junior David Hess from Louisville, Kentucky, and his partner Villar had to settle for an unfinished score of 4-3. The doubles point was given to Lipscomb.
Hess says despite the loss he is still hopeful that the team will work their way up to the OVC Tournament. He says the team seems more pumped up about it this year.
In preparation for conference play, Head Coach Mel Purcell said he is having the boys work on their doubles more.
Men’s tennis will play Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky this weekend for the OVC Tournament.
Men’s tennis also split their doubleheader against Tennessee Wesleyan 4-3, 2-4 on Tuesday, March 8. This was the first match they have won since Olivet Nazarene 4-3 in January earlier this year.