The Pioneer men’s and women’s tennis teams competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Semifinals at Gates Tennis Center this weekend. The men’s team bested Idaho 4-3, propelling them to their first WAC championship finals, and an NCAA tournament berth, while the women’s team fell in a 4-3 finals thriller to San Jose State.
The win brings the men’s team to 9-11 overall with a 5-0 record in the WAC.
On Saturday, the Pioneers dropped the doubles point after surrendering two of three doubles matches to the Aggies.
The senior tandem of Enej Bonin and Jens Vorkefeld picked up Denver’s only doubles victory, defeating New Mexico State’s Luis Ramirez and Paul Denele in a 9-8 (7) thriller.
In singles, freshman Henry Craig claimed a 6-2, 6-1 win over New Mexico State’s Germain Degardin in No. 4 singles to even the score at 1-1.
Redshirt senior Max Krammer defeated Marc Westgate 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. At No. 1 singles, ITA-ranked No. 55 Bonin beat Ramirez 6-3, 6-3 in a hard-hitting match.
Junior Alex Clinkenbeard defeated Patrick Pfister 7-5, 7-5 to pick up the fourth point for the Pioneers and clinch the dual, 4-1.
On Sunday in the WAC finals, the Pioneers team defeated Idaho 4-3 to capture the WAC championship.
“It was probably my greatest college match ever.” said Krammer. “We put a lot of effort in [this season], and we had a lot of injuries this season, but we showed that it was worth it.”
The team overcame a nine-match losing streak to get to this point, but the team was able to overcome the setback and perform when they most needed to.
“These guys really earned it and persevered,” said head coach Danny Westerman. “It’s great to have our senior clinch it. Our oldest guys on the team dug deep, and they were ready for this moment, so it was really special.”
The win qualifies the Pioneers for the NCAA tournament. The regional rounds will take place May 10-12, followed by the championship rounds from May 17-27 in Champaign/Urbana, Ill.
Women’s action
The No. 52-ranked Pioneers’ women’s tennis team closed their season with a 16-3 overall record and 8-0 in WAC play.
On Friday, the No. 1-ranked Pioneers defeated No. 5 Idaho 4-0 in the semifinals of the WAC tournament at Gates Tennis Center. The win sent the Pioneers to the finals where they fell to No. 2 San Jose State 4-3 on Saturday.
On Friday, the Pioneers defeated the Vandals in two of three doubles matches to take the early 1-0 lead into singles play.
Senior Emma Isberg routed Idaho’s Constance Alexander 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead. Senior Steffi Rath continued the singles winning trend by defeating Sophie Vickers 6-4, 6-3 at No. 6 singles. Junior Caroline Schnell powered past Almudena Sanz 6-1, 6-4 in No. 2 singles to give the Pioneers the 4-0 victory, and advance to the WAC finals.
On Saturday, the Pioneers fell in two of three doubles matches, putting them behind going into singles play at 1-0.
The senior duo of Sophia Bergner and Rath accounted for the Pioneers only doubles win, defeating Erica Willitt and Sebasiani Leon Chao 8-4.
Rath rolled Jessica Willett 6-0, 6-2 to tie the dual at 1-1 at No. 6 singles.
Schnell beat Leon Chao 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2 singles and Kathryn Hughes defeated Juliana Bacelar 6-2, 6-4. However, Bergner, Emma Isberg and Mandy van den Eerenbeemt were all defeated, giving SJSU the WAC title.
