Tanner Hoops | Staff Writer
The Buena Vista University’s (BVU) men’s tennis team had their home openers spoiled by Grand View and Augustana at the Lamberti Recreational Center on Saturday, Feb. 28.
In the opening match of the day against Grand View, the Beavers were swept in doubles despite losing none of the matches by more than three points. At #1 doubles, Chris Habermann and Kyle Weeden were defeated by Andree Stevensson and Jordan Feige by a score of 9-7. Meanwhile Jesse Brace and Kyle Shade fell at #2 doubles to Anthony Forcucci and Zach Martin by a score of 8-5. The BVU #3 doubles team of Robby Steffes and John Bieber fell to Ryan Gilbert and Diego Nova 8-6.
The Vikings showed their dominance in the singles portion of the match, winning all five of the six matches. The lone Beaver victory came at #4 singles were Weeden defeated Martin by a final score of 6-0, 6-4. Habermann fell at #1 singles 6-3, 6-3 while Brace was defeated 7-6 (3), 6-1 at the #2 spot. Shade and Steffes fell at #3 and #5 singles respectively by identical 6-4, 6-1 scores, while Bieber fell 6-3, 7-5 at #6 singles.
“We need to keep the ball in play and hit the ball deep towards the baseline,” Head Coach Rick Halverson said.
Later in the day, the Beavers matched up with Augustana where the home team was swept in both singles and doubles. Habermann and Weeden battled but came up short at #1 doubles 9-8, while Brace and Shade fell at #2 by a score of 8-5. Steffes and Bieber were taken down 8-3 at #3 doubles.
In singles play, Habermann was defeated 6-4, 6-0 at #1 singles, while Brace was toppled 7-5, 6-2 at #2. Shade fell at #3 singles by a score of 6-0, 6-3 and Weeden fell 6-3, 6-1 at #4. The closest singles match of the day came at the #5 spot where Steffes battled to force a third set tiebreaker before being defeated 3-6, 6-0 (10-3). The Augustana sweep was completed at #6 singles where Bieber fell 6-0, 6-1.
“I think we have lots of room for improvement. By staying focused and playing at our best level in practice is how we’re going to succeed this season” Steffes said.
The Beavers are now off until March 21 when they take their spring break trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Photo by Cassie Forsyth
