The Illinois Wesleyan University men’s tennis team opened its dual season with two home victories, defeating Franklin College 4-3 and Webster University 6-1 in Bloomington. With these wins, the Titans improved to a 3-0 record, marking their best start since the 2020-21 season.
In the match against Franklin, Illinois Wesleyan swept all three doubles matches. Seniors Ian Turnbull and Ben Vigneri won at the top spot, while junior Thad Dillow paired with senior Griffin Hammond for a win at No. 2 doubles. Freshmen Will Ehrlich and Truman Raher completed the sweep at No. 3 doubles.
During singles play against Franklin, Turnbull secured a straight-set victory over Clark Hersam. Vigneri also won his match in two sets, as did Hammond at No. 4 singles. Franklin earned points by winning matches at No. 3, No. 5, and No. 6 singles.
Against Webster University later in the day, Illinois Wesleyan lost the doubles point but responded by winning all six singles matches—five by direct result and one by default—to claim a 6-1 overall win.
Turnbull led off singles with a victory over Eli Bartek at the top spot, followed by wins from Vigneri, Dillow, Hammond, Ehrlich, and Raher.
Illinois Wesleyan Titans Men’s Tennis competes in NCAA Division III athletics as part of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). The team holds home matches at Evergreen Racquet Club and Beadles-Morse Courts in Bloomington and includes student-athletes from freshman through senior years according to its official website.
The Titans will next travel to Galesburg for away matches against Monmouth College and Principia College on Saturday, February 21.
