DELAWARE, OH - The Franciscan men's tennis team lost 9-0 to non-conference opponent Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday, in a match which despite an unfavorable ending showcased the depth of an improved Baron squad.

The men began their quest for their fifth straight AMCC championship just after 3:00 p.m., as doubles first took the court. Despite an 8-4 loss, juniors Jarek Sulak and John Gallagher displayed much of the chemistry at No. 1 doubles which fueled their success a season ago. Sulak's impressive service games and Gallagher's volleys allowed for a return to form, encouraging as the season progresses. 

At. No. 2 doubles, sophomore RJ Watson and junior Connor Jooste, the latter a recent returner from Austria, played with all of the confidence which head coach Scott Greve expected. Watson's strong service points complemented well Jooste's confidence at the net. The doubles pair kept the match close before the Bishops pulled away, 8-5.

Freshman Jack Galla made his first start during the Baron's traditional season. Alongside senior and team captain David Freytag, the duo would take time to develop on-court chemistry; nevertheless, Galla's adept volley game is ideally a sign of things to come for the pair. Freytag's senior leadership and consistent groundstrokes will only allow the No. 3 doubles duo to improve upon already solid fundamentals. 

Said Galla of the match, "I thought I played like I had a lot of potential, but there's room for a lot of growth throughout the season. With a lot more repetition we can definitely get into a groove."

Down 3-0 after doubles, the Barons turned their attention to singles. Freshman Walter Matt was given the nod at No. 6 singles, and made the most of a tough matchup on the far court. His flat forehand began to yield dividends in a tighter second set not reflective of the score. Matt went down 6-1, 6-2 in his first spring start since donning a Baron uniform.

Gallagher lost his first set quickly at No. 2 singles before increased court awareness made the second more competitive. After his opponent was forced into a medical timeout to tend to an ankle injury, the junior took another game before surrendering a 6-3, 6-2 loss.

On the first court, Sulak gave his No. 1 singles opponent fits behind fierce groundstrokes and smart serving and volleying. Playing his best tennis of the season thus far, Sulak's return of serve kept the games closer than the score suggests. He lost 6-2, 6-2, in a positive showing of things to come.

Watson found easy service games harder to come by against his No. 4 singles opponent. Nevertheless, the sophomore speedster kept the pressure on his opponent with a series of sensational passing shots thanks to a much improved backhand, eventually losing 6-1, 6-3.

Freytag played by far the closest match of the waning afternoon: his 6-1, 4-6, 10-6 loss had all the elements of a ferocious comeback. The senior stormed back after winning only a single game in the first set, taking the second set 6-4 in dominant fashion thanks, to a number of contested points off of forehand winners. The tiebreak didn't go his way, but the most experienced member of the squad nonetheless began the season with something to prove.

Jooste's No. 5 singles match allowed him an unprecedented opportunity to showcase a holistically improved groundstroke game. A 6-1, 6-1 loss notwithstanding, the junior returns from a semester abroad sporting a punishing serve and increased shot depth, especially on the forehand side.

Both freshmen commented post-match on the overall experience of their first collegiate tennis competition. Said Galla, "It's a different experience, playing in college versus high school. Up here there's a new norm, a different mindset." Added Matt, "It's a bigger deal. You really go out there and just go for it; you have to really work at it, give it your best."

After the loss, Greve noted the favorable aspects of the match. "The chemistry we saw in our doubles teams was very good. I thought the guys handled the opposition well."

Still, Greve understands there is work to be done. "I did not feel as if this team was out of the match. We just need to work on getting off to a quicker start at all our positions."

The Barons return to the court next Saturday when they travel to Oberlin for a 2pm match before facing Baldwin Wallace at 5:30 pm.