Thunder Women's Tennis News
5/3 - Knust and Huhnke Named First Team All-MIAA Tennis
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - For the first time in school history, the Trine University tennis teams have landed a player on both the men’s and women’s All-MIAA First Team. Freshman Caleb Knust (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) made it the fifth straight season for a Trine men’s player to be represented and junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) was named for the second straight season.
Knust stormed onto the season for the Thunder in his first season going undefeated (6-0) in MIAA singles action at the number one spot. Knust took down eventual MIAA MVP in Hope’s Bobby Cawood 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 during their regular season dual match. Knust dropped just one match throughout the year to a Division III opponent in singles play and fell just once in a dual-meet during the spring, which was to a Division I opponent to finish the fall and spring seasons with a 17-4 record in singles play. Knust also went 9-10 in doubles action for the year including a 4-2 record in conference play.
Huhnke, who earns first team honors for the second straight year, becomes the first Trine women’s tennis player to be named multi All-MIAA selection. Huhnke finished the conference season with a 6-2 record at the No. 1 singles position for the Thunder and an overall record of 16-6, with three of her losses coming to non-Division III opponents. Huhnke also went 4-4 in conference doubles action at the No. 1 spot and finished the year with a 12-10 record.
4/22 - Thunder Fall in Season Finale
ANGOLA, Ind. - The Trine University women’s tennis team had a tough end to their regular season as they fell to conference foe Calvin 6-3. The Thunder end their season with a 9-9 overall record and 3-5 in the MIAA.
It was a constant battle all afternoon, beginning with doubles action. Trine’s lone win came in the No. 2 position as the team of senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) won 8-6. The Thunder would drop a tough one in the top match as juniors Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) fell in a tie-breaker 9-8 (7-4). In the third match, the duo of sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) and Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) fell 8-3.
In singles action, Schlueter picked up her second win of the day in the No. 4 match taking it 6-2, 6-2. Huhnke also picked up a win in a near shutout at the No. 1 singles position, winning 6-1, 6-0. Huhnke finished the conference season with a team-best 6-2 record in conference singles action.
Uphaus would fall in a two-set tie-breaker at second singles 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5). Kwaske dropped her third singles match 6-1, 6-2 and Willmann fell 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 5 position. In the final match Mack fell 6-4, 6-2 in the number six match.
4/21 - Thunder Get Key Conference Win
ALMA, Mich. - The Trine University women’s tennis team earned an important MIAA victory as they took down Alma College 5-4. The win improves the Thunder to 9-8 on the year and 3-4 in the conference.
The Thunder started the afternoon off by getting two wins in doubles action. The junior tandem of Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) won their No. 1 match 8-5. In the third doubles match, the team of sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) and freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) won 8-4. In the number two match, the duo of senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) nearly made it a clean sweep, falling 8-6.
In singles action, it was Kwaske who would give the Thunder the victory with a third set tie-breaker in the No. 3 match to pull out the comeback, winning 1-6, 6-4, 7-6. Huhnke and Schlueter also picked up wins in singles action. At the top position, Huhnke won her match easily 6-2, 6-0 and Schlueter pulled out a 6-4, 6-0 win at the fourth position. Mack nearly pulled off a three-set win at the sixth position but fell 3-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Trine will close out the regular season when they host Calvin on April 27 for a 1:00 p.m. match.
4/16 - Thunder Take a Pair of Matches from MIAA Co-Leaders
ANGOLA, Ind. - The Trine University women’s tennis team fell to conference co-leader Albion College 6-2.
Trine, 8-8 on the season and 2-4 in the MIAA, picked up their first win in the No. 1 doubles match as the team of juniors Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) won 9-7. In other doubles action, the duo of senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) fell 8-1 at the second position and sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) and freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) fell 8-3 in the third match.
In singles competition, Mack would pull out the lone Thunder victory in the No. 6 position taking the match 6-4, 6-4. Huhnke fell 6-3, 6-1 in the first position and Uphaus dropped her No. 2 match 6-2, 6-2. In the fourth singles match Schlueter fell 6-0, 6-2. Willmann fell 6-1, 6-1 in the fifth position and Kwaske’s match at third singles was not finished due to rain.
Trine returns to the courts on April 20 for a doubleheader when they host Huntington at 10:00 a.m. and then St. Francis at 3:30 p.m.
4/11 - Thunder Fall to Conference Leaders
ANGOLA, Ind. - The Trine University women’s tennis team was in near striking distance of knocking off co-conference leader Hope College, dropping three close matches to fall by a score of 7-2. Trine now stands at 2-3 in the conference and 8-7 overall on the season.
In doubles action the Thunder nearly took all three matches but settled for a win at the third position. The team of sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) and freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) dominated their match 8-1. Trine would drop a heartbreaker in a tie-breaker at the No. 2 match as the team of senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) fell 9-8 (7-4). In the top match, the duo of juniors Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) dropped 8-5.
Huhnke would rebound quickly as she improved her conference record to 4-1 and she made quick work of Carli Capestany 6-1, 6-1. Schlueter would put up a battle in the fourth singles match as she fell 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. In the second singles match Uphaus fell 6-1, 6-1 while Willmann dropped her fifth match 6-3, 6-0. At the No. 3 and No. 6 spots Kwaske and Mack both fell 6-0, 6-0 respectively.
Trine will take the weekend off before returning to the courts on April 16 when they host the other co-conference leader in Albion at 4:00 p.m.
4/10 - Huhnke Shuts out Opponents as thunder Roll
ANGOLA, Ind. - It was a decisive victory for the Trine University women’s tennis team as they defeated MIAA rival Adrian College 8-1. The win improves the Thunder to 8-6 on the season and 2-2 in the conference.
The Thunder opened the match by making it a clean sweep through the doubles matches including two shutouts. At the top spot, the team of juniors Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) won 8-0. In the No. 2 match, freshman Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) and senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) also shutout their opponents 8-0. The team of sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) and freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) pulled out an 8-6 win in the third doubles match.
Huhnke made it a clean sweep on the afternoon as she breezed through her No. 1 singles match 6-0, 6-0. Kwaske nearly did the same in the third position, winning 6-1, 6-0. Mack also made quick work of her opponent at the sixth singles match 6-1, 6-1. In the second spot, Uphaus took the win by a score of 6-1, 6-2. Junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) needed an extra game in the second set as she won 6-0, 7-5. Trine’s lone loss came in the No. 5 match as Willmann fell in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
The team won’t waste any time returning to action as they host Hope on April 11 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
4/7 - Thunder Dominate in First MIAA Win of the Season
OLIVET, Mich. - The Trine University women’s tennis team picked up their first MIAA win of the season in dominating fashion as they swept Olivet College 9-0. The Thunder dropped just one set on the day as they improved their record to 7-6 on the season and 1-2 in the conference.
In doubles action, Trine dropped just three games to the Comets throughout the three matches. In the No.1 match, the duo of juniors Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) and Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) won 8-2. At the second position, senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) won 8-1. In the final match, the tandem of sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) and freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) shutout the Comets 8-0.
In singles action, Kwaske and Schlueter shutout their opponents in the third and fourth matches 6-0, 6-0 respectively. At the fifth and sixth positions, Willmann and Mack won by identical scores of 6-1, 6-0. The Thunder had a tough test in the top two matches though. In the No. 1 match, Huhnke used a second set tie-breaker to defeat Caitlin LaValley 6-1, 7-6 (7-3). At the second position, Uphaus needed three sets to dispatch Jennifer Lightner 6-1, 5-7, 10-6.
Trine will play their third match in as many days when they travel to Alma on April 8 for a 4:00 p.m. match.
4/6 - Thunder Stung by Hornets
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Trine women’s tennis team dropped their third straight match as they were swept by MIAA foe Kalamazoo 9-0. The Thunder now stand at 6-6 on the season and 0-2 in the conference.
For the Thunder, their closest match of the day came at second doubles as the team of senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) fell 8-4. In other doubles action, junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and freshman Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) dropped their No. 1 match 8-1. In the third doubles match freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) and sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) fell 8-0.
In singles action Huhnke fell at the top position 6-1, 6-3. That would be the closest the Thunder would come in singles action as Kwaske dropped her second singles match 6-2, 6-0 and Schlueter fell at the third spot 6-1, 6-0. Senior Kaylynne Goeglein (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) dropped her No. 4 match 6-0, 6-0 while Willmann fell 6-1, 6-1 and Mack fell 6-0, 6-1 at fifth and sixth singles respectively.
The Thunder will get right back at it as they travel to Olivet for another MIAA match on April 7 beginning at noon.
4/2 - Thunder Drop First Match After Long Layoff
ANGOLA, Ind. - After not playing a match in 10 days, the Trine University women’s tennis team had a hard time shaking off the rust as they fell to Spring Arbor 7-2. The match was also the first at home for the Thunder since mid-February as they now stand at 6-5 on the season.
Trine junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) won at first singles 6-2, 6-3 over Kristin DeBruyn improving her singles record to 8-3 on the season. Trine’s other win also came at the third position as sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) defeated Jenna Bart 6-4, 6-1. In other singles action, junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) fell 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 2 position. In the fourth singles match senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) fell 6-1, 6-1 while fellow senior Kaylynne Goeglein (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) dropped her fifth singles match 6-2, 6-2. In the final singles match in the sixth position, freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) fell 8-3.
In doubles action the Thunder nearly pulled off a win at the top position as Huhnke and Uphaus fell 8-6. At the No. 2 position, Willmann and freshman Taylor Rabel (Muncie, Ind./Muncie Central) fell 8-4 while the team of Kwaske and Mack dropped their third doubles match 8-1.
Trine will resume conference action when they travel to Kalamazoo on April 6 for a 1:00 p.m. match.
3/23 - Thunder Drop Conference-Opener
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - In their first conference match of the season, the Trine University women’s tennis team fell to Saint Mary’s 6-3. The loss drops the Thunder to 6-4 on the year.
At the No. 1 singles position, junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) took down her opponent 6-3, 6-2. At the fourth position, fellow junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) won in a third-set tie-breaker 2-6, 6-3, 10-4. In the third singles match, sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) fell in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) fell in the second position 6-4, 6-4. At fifth singles, senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) dropped her match 6-2, 6-1 and freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) fell in her sixth singles match 6-1, 6-3.
In doubles action, the team of Willmann and Schlueter won their match at the second position 9-7. In the first and third doubles matches, the teams of Huhnke and Chrissy along with Mack and Kwaske fell by identical 8-4 scores receptively.
The Thunder will look to get their first conference victory as they travel to Alma on March 26 for a 4:00 p.m. match.
3/16 - Thunder Win Rose-Hulman Invitational
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Trine University women’s tennis team turned in a dominating performance at the Rose-Hulman Invitational, as they bested Franklin College and host Rose-Hulman. The Thunder finished with 16 points while Rose-Hulman finished with 7 and Franklin with 4.
In all, the Thunder won 16 matches, including sweeping the six doubles matches while dropping just two singles matches in the two-day tournament.
Juniors Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) along with sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western), senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and freshman Alexis Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) all went undefeated in singles action for the weekend.
In the opener, the Thunder defeated Franklin 8-1. In singles action, Willmann swept her opponent 8-0 in the fifth spot. Huhnke also dominated at the No.1 position, winning 8-1.
Against Rose-Hulman, Huhnke swept her opponent in straight sets 6-0, 6-0. Kwaske also nearly swept her opponent in the No. 3 singles, winning 6-1, 6-1. Junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) won a tight battle at second singles 6-1, 4-6, 10-8.
The team will travel to Taylor for a non-conference match on March 20 for a 3:00 p.m. match.
3/11 - Huhnke Named MIAA Tennis Player of the Week
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Trine University tennis team swept the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s and women’s Player of the Week awards for matches played through March 10. Junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) won the award for the women.
Huhnke, a 2012 All-MIAA First Team honoree, posted a 3-1 record at No. 1 singles and a 4-0 mark at No. 1 doubles for the Thunder during their spring trip. Included in her wins was a doubles victory against NCAA Division II opponent Malone. Huhnke is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time this season and second time in her career.
3/9 - Tennis Wraps Up Superb Spring Trip
HILTON HEAD, S.C. - The Trine University men’s and women’s tennis teams concluded their Spring Break trip with fantastic results as the men’s team went undefeated at 4-0 while the women were 3-1.
The men’s squad (4-5 overall) came into the break with a 0-5 record, but proved they will be a tough opponent come conference season as they knocked off two Division II teams in Malone and Post. The Thunder started the trip off with a 9-0 win over the St. Louis School of Pharmacy, then a 5-4 victory over Malone, followed by a 6-3 win over Post and finished up with an 8-1 victory over Alvernia.
In singles action, Trine dropped just three of 24 matches. Freshman Caleb Knust (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) and seniors Trevor Derby (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) and Dan Desper (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) all went undefeated at 4-0 for the week. Sophomore Joey Clark (Sturgis, Mich./Sturgis) was also undefeated in singles play with a 3-0 record.
In doubles action, the team of junior Nick Ihrie (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) and senior David Murray (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) also won all four of their matches.
On the women’s side, the Thunder (6-3 overall) started the week with an 8-1 victory over the St. Louis School of Pharmacy and then dropped their only match of the week to Malone 6-3. Trine rebounded with a 7-2 win over Saint Vincent and finished off their trip with an 8-1 win over Alvernia.
The doubles team of juniors Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) and Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) along with the duo of senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) and junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) went a perfect 4-0 on the week.
On the singles side, freshman Lexi Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) was the only undefeated player on the week at 3-0. Also, sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western), junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) along with Schlueter and Huhnke all went 3-1 in singles play for the week.
9/29 - Thunder Tennis Wraps Up Fall Season
INDIANAPOLIS - The Trine University men’s and women’s tennis teams wrapped up their fall seasons as they made the trip down I-69 to Indianapolis to face a tough Marian University.
On the men’s side, the Thunder fell 6-3, as they picked up wins in both singles and doubles action to finish the fall 0-4. Freshman Caleb Knust (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) won at the first position in a near sweep, 6-0, 6-1. In the number three singles match, senior Dan Desper (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) picked up a 6-1, 6-4 win for the Thunder. In other singles action junior Joe Dunbar (Carmel, Ind./Blessed Theodore Guerin) fell 6-2, 6-1 at the second position and senior David Murray (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) fell 6-0, 6-2 in the number four singles match. The final singles match saw Trevor Derby (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) fall 6-1, 6-0 in the number six singles.
In doubles action, the team of Desper and Knust won in a tie-breaker 9-8 (9-7). In second doubles, Dunbar and sophomore Zach Richardson (Muncie, Ind./Delta ) fell 8-2 while Derby and Murray dropped their third doubles match 8-3.
The Trine women’s team had a tough task at hand against the 25th ranked Knights, dropping their match 9-0 to finish 2-1 in dual matches for their fall season. Junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) put up a tough battle in her number one singles match, falling 6-7 (2-7), 6-1, 10-6. In the second position junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) fell 6-1, 6-0 while fellow junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) dropped her fourth singles match 6-2, 6-0. Seniors Susan Breinling (Fremont, Mich./Faith Christian ) and Kaylynne Goeglein (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) fell in their fifth and sixth singles matches by identical 6-0, 6-1 scores. In the number three singles position, sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) also fell 6-0, 6-1.
The doubles team of Schlueter and senior Samantha Willmann (Anderson, Ind./Frankton) put up the toughest fight at the second position, falling 8-4. In the number one match, Huhnke and Uphaus fell 8-3 while Kwaske and freshman Alexis Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) fell 8-1 in the third position.
9/26 - Thunder Split Road Match
GOSHEN, Ind. - The Trine University tennis teams split their trip to Goshen College as the women took home the win 7-2, while the men’s team fell 7-2.
The women’s team opened by winning five of the six singles matches to improve the Thunder’s record to 2-0 to start the fall season. At the top spot, junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) won her match 6-4, 6-1 while fellow junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) took her match 6-1, 6-3 in the second singles spot. Sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) won her third singles match 6-1, 6-1. In the fourth singles position junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) nearly swept her opponent, winning 6-1, 6-0. In the number five singles match senior Kaylynne Goeglein (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) dropped a hard fought three-set game 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. Finishing out the singles matches in the number six position was freshman Alexis Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) who won another three-set match 7-6 (4-2), 4-6, 10-8.
In doubles action, the team of Huhnke and Uphaus won the first position 8-3 while Schlueter and Willmann took the second spot 8-1. The tandem of Kwaske and Mack dropped their number three doubles match 8-2.
The men’s team dropped to 0-3 on the season as both of their wins came in singles action. At the number three position, senior Dan Desper (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) won in a three set marathon 6-7 (7-9), 7-5, 10-6. In another marathon match at the sixth singles spot, sophomore Zach Richardson (Muncie, Ind./Delta) won his match 5-7, 6-4, 11-9. Freshman Caleb Knust (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) dropped a three set match in the number one singles match 6-3, 2-6, 10-6. At the number two singles junior Joe Dunbar (Carmel, Ind./Blessed Theodore Guerin) fell 6-2, 6-2. In the four position, sophomore Joe Clark (Sturgis, Mich./Sturgis) dropped his match 6-1, 6-0. In the final singles match at the fifth position, senior Trevor Derby (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) fell 6-1, 6-1.
The Thunder were swept in double competition at the team of Desper and Knust dropped the top match 8-2. In the number two doubles match Clark and Dunbar fell 8-0 while Derby and freshman Tony Waltermann (Indianapolis, Ind./Center Grove) fell 8-1 in the number three position.
Trine will wrap up their fall season when the men’s and women’s teams travel to Marian University on September 29.
9/22 - Mack Runner-Up at MIAA Tennis Flighted Tournament
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - In the first fall flighted women’s tennis tournament in MIAA conference history, Trine freshman Alexis Mack (Temperance, Mich./Bedford) finished runner-up in the C Division consolation bracket with a 2-2 record.
The Thunder picked up a win in each of the singles and doubles flights as the team combined for a 9-19 record over the course of the two-day tournament.
Mack fell in her opening match 6-1, 6-2 to drop into the consolation bracket but bounced back to easily defeat Jennifer Bageris of Kalamazoo 6-1, 6-2. To get into the finals match, Mack defeated Nicki Malekdeli from Alma 6-2, 6-1. In the consolation championship Mack would fall to Tara Patton from Alma in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.
In the A Division, second seeded junior Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle) won her first match in a sweep of Katie Meloche from Alma 6-0, 6-0, before falling in her next match 6-2, 6-2. On the other side of the bracket junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) fell in her first match before rallying for a win in the consolation bracket over Olivia Bouchard of Kalamazoo 6-2, 2-6, 10-6. Uphaus fell just short of the finals as she dropped what would be a marathon match 6-7(3), 6-3, 11-9.
The B Division saw sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) win her first match of the tournament in three set 3-6, 6-1, 11-9 over Ania Latala of Kalamazoo. Kwaske would drop a tough three set match to her next opponent 4-6, 7-5, 10-3. Senior Susan Breinling (Fremont, Mich./Faith Christian ) picked up a win in the consolation bracket of the B Division defeating Shannon Golden of Saint Mary’s 5-7, 6-2, 10-5.
In doubles action, the team of Uphaus and Huhnke got the Thunder their lone win in the A Division, as they took their opening match 8-6 over Alma’s Erin Clutter and Katie Meloche.
On the other side of the doubles action, Mack and Kwaske also won their opening match in the B Division, defeating Margaret Boden and Margaret Faller from Saint Mary’s 9-8(7).
Trine will next travel to Goshen for a dual match on September 26 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
9/10 - Thunder Tennis Splits Opener
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - For the first time since moving to NCAA the Trine University tennis teams opened their season in the fall, as they split their matches with Indiana Tech with the women winning 7-2 while the men fell 8-1.
On the women’s side, Trine defeated the Warriors for the second straight season. Sophomore Erin Kwaske (Jackson, Mich./Western) turned in the Thunder’s top performance in the third singles position, shutting out her opponent 6-0, 6-0. In the top singles match, All-MIAA player Jessica Huhnke (Newburgh, Ind./Castle), a junior, took her match 6-3, 6-3. In the fifth and sixth positions seniors Susan Breinling (Fremont, Mich./Faith Christian) and Kaylynne Goeglein (Fremont, Ind./Fremont) won by near identical scores of 6-2, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-2 respectively. Trine’s other singles win came in the fourth position as junior Lauren Schlueter (Akron, Ohio/Revere) won 6-3, 6-0. The only singles loss came in the second match as junior Chrissy Uphaus (Centerville, Ind./Centerville) fell 6-2, 6-1.
In doubles action, the Thunder took two of the three matches. Schlueter and Willmann won at second doubles 8-3 while Kwaske and freshman Alexis Mack won in a sweep in the third position 8-0. The team of Huhnke and Uphaus dropped the number one doubles match 8-3.
The men’s team only win came at the top singles spot as freshman Caleb Knust defeated Fernando Gonzalez 7-5, 7-6 (3-0). Sophomore Zach Richardson (Muncie, Ind./Delta) nearly held off his opponent at the sixth singles, falling 6-7 (0-4), 6-3, 10-8. Senior Dan Desper (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) fell just short in the number three singles match, 6-4, 6-3. Junior Joe Dunbar (Carmel, Ind./Blessed Theodore Guerin) fell in the third singles match 6-0, 6-2 while sophomore Joe Clark dropped his fourth singles match 6-2, 6-4. Senior Trevor Derby (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) fell in the final singles match, the fifth singles, 6-0, 6-1.
The Thunder were swept in their doubles matches as Desper and Knust had the closest match in the number one spot, falling 8-6. In the number two position Dunbar and Richardson fell 8-4 while Derby and freshman Tony Walterman fell in the third position 8-0.
The women’s team will next compete in the two-day MIAA flighted tournament beginning September 21 while the men will travel to Indiana Wesleyan on September 20 for a 4:00 p.m. match.
