The men’s and women’s tennis teams both fell short in the MIAC quarterfinals at the Swanson Tennis Center in St. Peter, Minn. on Friday, May 3.
The fifth-seeded St. John’s triumphed 5-2, sweeping the fourth-seeded Oles in doubles play. Partners Stephen Nolan ’15 and Andy Catania ’13 put up a fight in their tiebreaker but ultimately lost 8-10 to Johnnies Jack Hansen and Fabricio Moncada.
Captains Catania and Charlie Reinertsen ’13 earned the Oles their only two points with straight set wins in singles play.
“It’s always a grind out there,” Catania said.
After Nolan lost a grueling match at the top of the line-up to Moncada 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, it was up to Joey Kronzer ’16, Nico Gibb ’15 and Ben Carlson ’16, all of whom needed to win their singles matches in order for the Oles to advance in the playoffs.
When Kronzer lost, Gibb and Carlson ceased play.
The Johnnies lost to first-seeded Gustavus Adolphus College the following day. Gustavus won the tournament, pulverizing Carleton College 8-1 later that day.
The fifth-seeded women’s team lost to the fourth-seeded St. Thomas, losing all the doubles contests.
In singles, however, Lisa Hall ’16 and Julia Ellis ’13 each bested their opponents 6-1, 6-2.
Hall sought vengeance after losing to Tommie Shelby Henderson 15-17 in a super tiebreaker in early March. Facing her again, Hall came back with confidence.
“[Henderson] went to Lakeville South and I went to Lakeville North, so we have always been rivals,” Hall said. “Ever since high school, we have gone back-to-back. Going into the match, I wanted to give it my all because I knew it would be the last chance I could have this year to beat her. I knew that I had nothing to lose.”
After trailing in the first set, Kristi Kroker ’15 returned to win 7-5 against Tommie Kara Lefsrud. But Lefsrud battled back, taking the match with scores of 6-4 in both the second and third sets.
Erin Hynes ’15 fell fast to Bridget Noack 3-6, 0-6, so first-year Maya MacGibbon and junior Lizzie Carlson’s matches went unfinished.
The Tommies upset first-seeded St. Catherine University in the semifinals but ended up losing to Carleton College on Saturday, May 4.
Though their seasons are officially at a close, the men’s and women’s teams will take on Ole tennis alumni on May 11 at home.
