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`The Millersville men’s tennis team is coming together just in time for the PSAC Championships.
With a team record of 10-4 (9-2 this spring), the Marauders’ hard work has paid off that they clinched a spot in the PSAC Championships on April 24-25 at Shippensburg.
Following an 8-1 loss at home against Bloomsburg, they responded with a 9-0 shutout victory at Shepherd University. This was quite an improvement after losing to Shepherd 8-1 last season.
Head Coach Shari Bucklin-Webber said she knew they were a better team than last season and that Shepherd was not as good, but she was still happy with how the team played, turning the tables after last year’s loss.
The Marauders won every set against Shepherd. Sophomore Drew Slocum stepped up once again. He defeated Andy Bosco 6-2, 6-3 in No. 1 singles. Slocum and junior Andrew Sorgi won a close match in No. 1 doubles 9-7.
Junior Andrew Sorgi lunges to strike a backhanded shot. Sorgi and the Millersville Men’s tennis team will soon be participating in the PSAC Championships next weekend at Shippensburg University. Photo by Christian Shuts.
Senior Mark Treires and freshman Colton Brown had the largest victories in singles competition, each winning 6-1, 6-0.
Bucklin-Webber thought the team as a whole played hard and smart. As great as Millersville played, she was even more impressed with the teamwork they displayed. Everyone on the team cheered for each other while their teammates were playing.
“They looked and behaved like a team on and off the court,” Bucklin-Webber said.
The win against Shepherd followed an 8-1 loss against Bloomsburg, who has given the Marauders their only two losses of the spring.
The high point of the match was Millersville’s only win by Sorgi in No. 3 singles. He won the first set 6-1 and his opponent, Mark Schroeder, was forced to retire early in the second set.
Seniors Dusty Speicher and Treires managed to win the only other sets for Millersville during singles competition. Treires started strong against Ryan Glubo in No. 4 singles and won the first set 6-1. However, Treires lost the next two sets. Speicher won his first set as well but could not pull out the win against Jason Nolt. Speicher lost the No. 6 singles match 2-6, 6-3, 10-5.
Bucklin-Webber thought the Marauders played too tentatively against the Huskies. They let the ball come to them rather than going after it and playing aggressively.
“When you play a team that has proven to be better than you, you can’t sit on your heels and wait for things to happen,” Bucklin-Webber said.
This is a strategy the Marauders hope to deploy in their match against Kutztown. Still, Bucklin-Webber wants the Marauders to play relaxed and use the match as leverage for their confidence, regardless of the result.
Following Kutztown, Millersville finishes their season with matches against Mercyhurst and Dowling College. Their results in their final three matches will go a long way towards determining whether they end up as the third or fourth seed in the PSAC Championships.
Bucklin-Webber also hopes to draw Bloomsburg in the PSAC Championships. Maybe the third time could be the charm for Millersville.