Men’s tennis continues solid play
Doubles teams build chemistry while women work to improve
By Jeremy Johnson
jjohn308@mscd.edu

   The Metro men’s tennis team split a pair of weekend matches against Colorado College and Colorado State University at Pueblo as the women were swept in both conference and non-conference action.
The men were defeated 5-2 in a non-conference match against Colorado College on March 31. The women were over-powered in a 7-0 loss, dropping their record to 1-12.
   The Roadrunner men were strong again in doubles matches as the duo of junior Andre Nilsson and sophomore Riley Meyer took the first doubles match by a score of 8-3.
   Juniors Mark Milner and Drew Machholz followed suit with another 8-3 doubles victory.
   “ Doubles is all about chemistry, and the longer you play with each other, the more you learn about each other’s shots,” head coach Dave Alden said.    “They’re exploiting each other’s strengths and they’re doing it well.”
   Meyer was the lone winner in singles play by a 6-2, 6-3 margin.
   Freshman Miriam Evangelista put up the best effort for the women, taking the first singles set to 7-6 before a 6-0 set that resulted in a loss.
   In the April 1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opening match against CSU-Pueblo, the Metro men made fools out of the Thunderwolves in an 8-1 win. The Roadrunner women came up short once again in an 8-1 loss.
   “ It was good to have that quick start against (CSU-Pueblo),” Nilsson said. “It was nice to get back up after playing Colorado College. We just kind of took care of business.”
   “ It’s a great way to set the tone for the rest of the season,” Alden said.
   Both Nilsson and Meyer and Milner and Machholz continued their hot streak in doubles play with back-to-back, 8-4 and 8-0 wins.
   “ For us to be successful as a team you have to win two of three at doubles and that’s the expectation we put forward,” Alden said. “(Men’s doubles) are not hoping to win anymore, they’re expecting.”
   The doubles’ victories give both duos nine-match streaks in doubles competition. Neither doubles team has lost in Division II competition this season.
   “ (Meyer and I) are getting to know each other on the court and we really compliment each other,” Nilsson said. “We’ve been friends outside of the court and the chemistry has just always worked and it’s carrying over to our game.”
   The men dominated singles play, sweeping all six matches. Nilsson was the only player to be taken to extra games, squeaking by the first set 7-5, before going 6-2 in the second set for the match win.
   Meyer and Machholz gave up only three game wins each in their win over the Thunderwolves.
   Milner defeated CSU-Pueblo’s James MacIndoe in two straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
   Sophomore Sean Carlton and senior Jacob Ratliff each contributed strong sets, winning 6-1, 6-3 and 6-3, 6-1, respectively.
   Freshman Mitra Hirad won her first conference singles match against the ‘Wolves’ Cyndi Nagy, 6-3, 6-2.
   The sister doubles duo of sophomore Ragnhild Kinoshita and freshman Akiko Kinoshita made a run with three match points against the Thunderwolves, but fell short with the 9-7 loss.
   The win moves the Roadrunner men to 9-5 overall and 1-0 in the RMAC. With the weekend losses, the Metro women fell to 1-13 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
   The Metro men and women continue conference play in a makeup match against Mesa State at noon on April 7.

 

“(Men’s doubles) are not hoping to win anymore, they’re expecting.
Dave Alden

CORRECTION:

   In the March 30 issue of The Metropolitan, Andre Nilsson and Riley Meyer were said to be ranked No. 18 in the region. The duo is ranked No. 1 in the region and No. 18 in the nation.