Warriors Take Day One by Storm, Display Resiliency

By Francisco Claudio

 

This might have been the first time that either of Westcliff's tennis teams made the trip to nationals, but they sure did not act like it once play started on Tuesday.

 

The Westcliff men's and women's tennis teams traveled to Mobile, Alabama to make their 2023 NAIA Championship debut after both teams won the GSAC Tennis Tournament a few weeks prior.

 

The first round had the women who are the No. 19-seed facing off against No. 14-seeded Union College (Ky.), where they persevered and won, 4-2.

 

The No. 9-seeded men's team faced off against No. 24-seeded Southwestern College (Kan.), and won in a convincing manner, 4-0.

 

Assistant Head Coach Michael Longanecker had nothing but high praises for the way the women's team was able to fight through every hurdle that was put in front of them on the first day.

 

"The women's team really handled the challenging conditions of Alabama very well," said Longanecker. "They made it look easy and it certainly was not. Everyone was positive and had a high amount of energy.

 

"I think they have always known that they are a national caliber team and there is a sense of belonging at this level."

 

Longanecker was especially proud of the way singles No. 5 Lillian Burth played today and got an important win during her match: "Lilian Burth really stood out today in her singles. Everyone of course played very well and contributed to the win. 

 

"Burth played the best match of her season so far, and nationals is a great time to be peaking."

 

Head Coach Ross Duncan also shared how big Burth came up during her match: "I would like to give a shout-out to Lillian Burth who played the best singles match I have seen her play in her two years at Westcliff. She simply out-willed her opponent and dug out an impressive win that helped us even the match score and sway the momentum in our favor."

 

As the season progressed, both teams have grown stronger together and it was on display as they supported one another throughout the competition.

 

"I was really proud of the unity between both programs," said Duncan. "They supported each throughout the day. 

 

"This unified feeling translated onto the court and into our fighting spirit."

 

And this energy was very much needed by the men as they experienced rain delays due to bad weather in the afternoon and evening.

 

But again, this Warriors team showed that they belonged at nationals with all of the rest of the best from the NAIA, and overcame the weather conditions.

 

"The men had several delays throughout the day but they remained calm and flexible," said Duncan.

 

Both Westcliff's tennis teams will get back on the courts on Wednesday for the second round of the 2023 NAIA Tennis Championships. 

 

The women face off against the No. 3-seeded Xavier (La.), while the men will play against No. 8-seeded William Carey (Miss.).

 

The Warriors will try to make some more magic happen in this historic 2023 run that they're currently going through and continue to take down big names.

 

 

Westcliff (WC) | Union (UC)

 

Singles competition
1. Marielena Muench (WC) def. Karen Kondo (UC) 6-4, 6-4
2. Emilse Ruiz (WC) def. Liliana Drukerova (UC) 6-3, 6-1
3. Rin Igarashi (UC) vs. Kanon Sorakubo (WC) 2-6, 6-3, 0-2, unfinished
4. Alessia Radu (WC) def. Nicole Viljoen (UC) 6-2, 6-3
5. Lillian Burth (WC) def. Mai Kitashita (UC) 6-4, 6-2
6. Maria Arteaga (UC) def. Neele Menssen (WC) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Rin Igarashi/Karen Kondo (UC) def. Marielena Muench/Lillian Burth (WC) 6-2
2. Emilse Ruiz/Neele Menssen (WC) def. Anastasiia Iakovliev/Maria Arteaga (UC) 6-2
3. Liliana Drukerova/Nicole Viljoen (UC) def. Kanon Sorakubo/Cristina Hurtado (WC) 7-5

 

 

Westcliff (WEST) | Southwestern (SOWE)

 

Singles competition
1. Arthur Bellegy (WEST) def. Federico Poi (SOWE) 6-0, 6-1
2. Felix Veyhle (WEST) vs. Ryan Kitchin (SOWE) 6-1, 5-2, unfinished
3. Zak Khalil (WEST) vs. Pablo Rodriguez (SOWE) 7-5, 1-0, unfinished
4. Angel Melgar (WEST) vs. Albert Modol (SOWE) 6-3, 3-1, unfinished
5. Max Mueller (WEST) def. Benjamin Erdmann (SOWE) 6-1, 6-0
6. Loick Cherruy (WEST) def. Logan Engela (SOWE) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Felix Veyhle/Max Mueller (WEST) def. Ryan Kitchin/Pablo Rodriguez (SOWE) 6-1
2. Arthur Bellegy/Zak Khalil (WEST) def. Benjamin Erdmann/Logan Engela (SOWE) 6-2
3. Angel Melgar/Loick Cherruy (WEST) vs. Federico Poi/Albert Modol (SOWE) 5-2, unfinished