Virginia, Minn. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire men's tennis team opened up their season with two wins at the Virginia Indoor Tennis Center on Saturday. The Blugolds' defeated St. Scholastica 8-1, and earned a clean 9-0 sweep over UW-Superior.
In their 8-1 victory over St. Scholastica, the Blugolds got out to an early 3-0 lead with three wins in doubles play. Zach Janssen (Green Bay, Wis. / Notre Dame) and Grant Mauthe (Neenah, Wis.) got things started with a 8-5 win at number one doubles. Renan Barros (Itajai, Santa Catarina, Brazil) paired with Daniel Schoen (Brookfield, Wis/ Central) at number two doubles, the pair winning 8-3. Evan Fridinger (Woodbury, Minn. /Eastridge) and Matt Christensen (Rochester, Minn/ Century) finished the doulbes sweep with a 8-3 victory at number three doubles. In singles action the Blugolds defeated the Saints in five of six matchups. Mauthe earned a win at number two doubles, while Christensen followed suit at number three singles. Schoen and Fridinger won at the four and five slots, respectively. Sophomore Matt Gilbert (Minneapolis, Minn./ Washburn) defeated Jolowsky (CSS) at number six singles to earn his first win of the season.
The Blugolds were dominant in their second win of the day. Once again getting out to a 3-0 lead after doubles play. Mauthe and Schoen earned their second doubles win of the day, this time at number one doubles. Christensen and Fridinger played at the number two doubles slot and came out with a 8-0 victory. Gilbert paired up with Adam Burk (Forest Lake, Minn. /Totino Grace) at number three doulbes, they finished the doubles sweep with a 8-2 win. In singles action Janssen defeated Borst (UWS) 6-2, 6-0 at number one singles. Christensen won his second singles match of the day, with a 6-0, 6-1 triumph at number two singles. Schoen and Fridinger each earned another win in singles play at the number three and four slots. Gilbert defeated Lamont (UWS) 6-3, 6-4 at the number five sinlges slot, while Burk finished the dual sweep with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at number six singles.
The Blugolds, now 2-0, will host St. Olaf on Feb. 8 at 5:00pm, and then host Bethel and Hamline on Feb. 9. Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app