Men’s tennis dropped another match to make a bad season even worse (1-11, 0-4 PSAC). This time around, they came close to changing their misfortune, dropping a 4-5 decision to Caldwell University. The New Jersey school came into the match sporting a 3-5 record and the win broke a three-game losing streak, so they were glad to meet a struggling WCU squad.
West Chester was not without a chance to win as they received strong performances from several players. Charlie Rushing was the star for West Chester, winning his singles match 6-1, 6-0. Rushing also teamed up with Kylil Curry at third doubles, and the pair teamed up to dispatch Caldwell’s Yuxraj Baines and Ulysses Farr 8-2.
Norman Patten also won yet another match at first singles, as he continues to do his part on the court to help the cause. He won with a 6-2, 6-2 score line to improve his individual winning streak to five.
Curry won his singles match, earning a win at sixth singles with a 7-5, 6-4 victory. The good news ended there for the Golden Rams.
The rest of the team was unable to grab one more win to give WCU the victory. Patten, alongside Lucas Von der Hyde, lost control of the first doubles match early and ended up with a 2-8 loss. Second doubles were also unable to finish the job, falling short of grabbing the win, 5-8.
Third singles was lost after injury caused Von der Hyde to drop out after falling down 6-3, 4-1 in the second set. This provided an opening for Caldwell to make a comeback and win after falling behind early.
Fourth singles went to the Cougars as sophomore James Boyko triumphed in straight sets 7-5, 6-1. The deciding match came at fifth singles as the match went deep into the afternoon with a three-set affair. After taking the first set in a tight one, the next two sets went to the Cougars as Cameron Moore was gassed after a valiant effort in a 7-6 (8-6) 1-6, 0-6 result.
It is a heartbreaking loss for WCU as they came as close as they have been to a win in over a month. They hope to right the ship this week with a heavy schedule coming up as they have three straight non-conference matchups against Saint Thomas Aquinas, Bloomfield College and University of Delaware. The week will end with an away match at Millersville to end their regular season.
Ryan Hunt is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at RH803937@wcupa.edu.