The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s tennis team is set to play its first home matches of the season against Franklin College and Webster University on Saturday, February 14. The games will take place at Evergreen Racquet Club, with scheduled start times at 10:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Illinois Wesleyan opened its season with a 7-0 victory over the University of St. Francis (Ill.) on February 8. In doubles, seniors Ian Turnbull and Ben Vigneri defeated Jedriel Bondoc and John Kenny, 6-0. A default win at No. 3 doubles was followed by junior Thad Dillow and senior Griffin Hammond completing the sweep with a 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles over Lucas Fernandez and Jack O’Donnell.
In singles play, Turnbull won both sets in the top spot against Bondoc with scores of 6-2. Vigneri took his match against Kenny in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. Dillow defeated Fernandez at No. 3 singles, 6-2, 6-1. Hammond earned a win over O’Donnell at No. 4 singles, winning 6-0, 6-1. Junior Chase Tomecki secured a victory at No. 6 singles via default, while freshman Will Ehrlich achieved his first career spring win by blanking Justin Joseph at No. 5 singles with scores of 6-0, 6-0.
Franklin College enters its spring schedule after finishing the fall with a record of three wins and three losses; this marks the first meeting between Illinois Wesleyan and Franklin in men’s tennis competition. Webster University (2-4) also begins its spring campaign Saturday; it will be the ninth meeting between Webster and Illinois Wesleyan, with Illinois Wesleyan having won the last six encounters. Last year’s matchup saw Illinois Wesleyan claim a 5-2 victory through a doubles sweep and singles wins from Turnbull, Vigneri, and then-senior Ryan McCoy.
Results for these matches will be posted on iwusports.com following their completion.
Illinois Wesleyan Titans Men’s Tennis competes in NCAA Division III athletics as part of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (official website). The team holds home matches at Evergreen Racquet Club and Beadles-Morse Courts in Bloomington, Illinois (official website). The program features student-athletes from freshman through senior years (official website).
