Last week, the men’s and women’s tennis teams competed in the MIAC Conference Semifinals. The women’s team squared off in St. Peter, Minn. against Gustavus Adolphus College while the men’s team competed across the river against the Oles’ traditional rival, Carleton College.
The men’s team fought its way through some close matches but eventually came up short, concluding its season with a 6-3 loss to Carleton. Oles Christian Beck ’18 and Ben Carlson ’16 won in their singles competitions while Keenan Gladd-Brown ’16 and Matthew Christensen ’15 prevailed in their doubles match. Carleton players Kevin Mei, Andrew Hwang and Ezra Frankel swept both singles and doubles matches. Carleton will advance to MIAC Conference Finals, which will take place on Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus. The men’s team finished with a final record of 8-5, with one of these losses being against Carleton. Highlights of the men’s season include a closely contested win over regional rivals University of St. Thomas and Macalester College.
The St. Olaf women’s team took their competition to St. Peter to face Gustavus Adolphus College on May 1. The team lost 5-1 to the Gusties in a pivotal matchup of the MIAC Conference Semifinal. The only Ole victory of the afternoon was from senior Erin Hynes ’15 against Gustavus’ Katie Aney, winning both matches 6-3 and 6-2 respectively. Gustavus will be advancing to play the University of St. Thomas in the MIAC Conference Finals. The St. Olaf women’s team has had a largely successful season with a final record of 12-6. Some of the women’s wins from this season include stunning 9-0 victories over Hamline University and Concordia College.
Both teams look to have successful seasons in the fall since many players will be returning, though the men’s team will miss Christensen ’15, Nico Gibb ’15 and Stephen Nolen ’15. Nolen was recently selected for his seventh all-conference award. The women will have to do without Hynes ’15, Andrea Jumes ’15 and Kristi Kroker ’15. Despite these losses, Oles clearly have the skill and athleticism to compete head-to-head with other teams in the MIAC, but experience will be key if St. Olaf hopes to win the conference in upcoming seasons.
