After a third straight conference defeat at the hands of Colby, the Cardinals can agree their fortune as of late has not been favorable. The progress is tangible, but the results have yet to follow. With consecutive 9-0 routs representing their past two contests, Wesleyan managed to gather two match victories against the Mules despite throwing out an injury-depleted lineup.
Following an early Friday practice it became clear not all of the Cardinals usual starters would be healthy enough to take the court the next day in Maine. Top-seeded Jeff Legunn ’13 was still hampered by the same knee injury that forced him to retire in his previous match at Tufts. Even more, doubles starter Alex Rachlin ’15, who has been plagued with a wrist injury all season, needed extra time off. Forced to reshuffle the lineup, the tennis team had its proverbial back to the wall from the very beginning.
“We had some initial setbacks,” admitted singles player Michael Glen ’13, acknowledging the team’s misfortune rather than excusing its defeat. However, the Cardinals did not simply roll over and embrace defeat when their matches began. Forced to move up to the #1 seed, Stephen Monk ’15 shined with a victory in a super-ten tiebreak. Not to be outdone by their classmate, the doubles team of freshman Donovan Suh and Ben Hudson won a hard fought match 9-8. Glen fought admirably in the #6 seed singles match-up, ending up on the wrong side of a super-ten tiebreaker of his own. The new doubles pairing of Jonathan Coombs ’15 and Robert Troyer ’12 also forced their doubles opponents to the very brink, but could not grab a victory, falling 9-8.
Without a doubt, the Cardinals’ fate could have been much different had their lineup been healthy. Nonetheless, the team exhibited progress and toughness to battle in their matches until the very end as Wesleyan stumbled to a 2-7 defeat.
“All we can do is continue fighting and prepare for [Trinity],” said Glen.
The mindset of the team is unwavering despite its recent troubles. Coupled with a steadfast commitment to progress throughout the season, the next step in the progression is to go out and grab an important conference victory.
The opportunity presents itself this Thursday, April 12 at Trinity College. The Bantams, who the Cardinals did not face last year, are ranked 24th in Division III. With more time to heal up injuries and a few more days of practice, the team is looking for a victory to put the season back on track.