Eastern Illinois men’s tennis faced a tough day in Nashville, losing both matches on Saturday. They first took on Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), a team ranked No. 44 in the ITA standings.
The Panthers struggled in doubles, losing the point after matches at No. 1 and No. 3 went to MTSU. The No. 2 doubles match, which featured Alex Aldaz and Duarte Trocado, was left unfinished with the score at 4-2 in favor of the Blue Raiders.
In singles matches, MTSU dominated, winning all six contests in straight sets. Aldaz had a close match at No. 2, where he pushed his first set to a tiebreaker but lost 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 against Shu Matsuoka. Trocado also faced a tough opponent at No. 5, losing to Ig Mandou Berranger with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
Later that day, Eastern Illinois faced off against Vanderbilt, a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team ranked No. 58 by the ITA. Similar to their first match, they lost the doubles point again, with the same pattern in the matches.
In singles play, Vanderbilt swept the Panthers, winning all matches in straight sets. Pieke Bouman at No. 1 singles fought hard, forcing a tiebreak in the first set but ultimately falling 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 to Nathan Cox. Aldaz struggled again at No. 2, losing another tightly contested first set tiebreak, falling 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 to Dylan Charlap.
William Hays also showed resilience at No. 6 singles, battling Oscar Jensen before losing 6-0, 6-4.
These matches highlight the challenges EIU faces competing against ranked teams. Historically, the Panthers have had mixed results against higher-ranked opponents, but their determination on the court remains steadfast.
As the season progresses, it’s essential to monitor how the team adapts and grows from these tough experiences. Engaging with fans on social media has shown a mix of support and concern, with many highlighting the need for improvement but cheering on their effort.
For more insights into college tennis rankings and performance, visit the ITA website at ita.com.
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