The first match of the Invite saw UW-Whitewater take on Luther College. Last year we were involved in a tight 5-4 decision against Luther on Spring Break in Orlando, FL. The matches started and it was obvious the Warhawks meant business. All 3 doubles teams started off great, and finished great as the Warhawks took all 3 doubles matches to start. The team knew that the match was far from over though, as three years ago we started off 3-0 against Luther only to lose 5-4. The team came out firing on all cylinders at every spot. Including a great first set from Byron Balkin where he bested Scott Sundstrom, one of the best players in the central region, in a tie breaker. However Sundstrom was just a little too strong and took the match in a third set tie breaker. Andrew Bayliss also found himself in a first set tie breaker, but ended up losing. Bayliss fought hard and took the match to a third set tie break where he came up a little short. The rest of the Warhawk's singles players, McGlashen, Osborne, Scanlan, and Klein, all won their matches in straight sets.
Luther individual match scores
It was a great match for the Hawks. The team supported each other out on the court, as well as any match I've been a part of in my 6 years here. After leaving FLAC on Friday the Warhawks were pleased with the match, but they knew that there was work left to be done this weekend.
Saturday, the Warhawks returned to FLAC to take on UW-Oshkosh and Wheaton College(IL). First up Saturday afternoon were the UW-Oshkosh Titans. The Hawks were in for a fight at all positions. The Hawks took the number 2 and 3 doubles positions, and all eyes turned to a dog fight at number 1 doubles as the Titan team took the Warhawks into a tie breaker for the match. Oshkosh's 1 doubles team started out the tie break strong and didn't look back winning the match. After doubles the Hawks were up 2-1 and were looking for some strong singles play to close out the match. 2 through 6 singles were all close matches, but the Hawks took them all in straight sets. At 1 singles Byron Balkin found himself in yet another third set tiebreaker to win the match. This time he came up with the goods even after being down late in the tie break. This last match closed out the 8-1 win for the Warhawks.
Not even 10 minutes after the end of the Oshkosh match the Warhawks began their match against Wheaton College(IL). The Warhawks started strong in all 3 doubles matches, and it was great to see Cam Laktash and RJ Rademacher play so well at 3 doubles. After the doubles matches concluded the Warhawks led 3-0. As singles started it was obvious the Warhawks were in it to win it. No match showed that quite as well as the 6 singles match where Brady Porter came out looking like a man possessed. Porter's fire and intensity helped fuel the other Hawks in their matches. With the 2-6 singles matches done and the Warhawks victorious in all of them the two teams turned to support their number 1 singles players. Again Byron Balkin found himself as the last one on the court caught in a battle. This match left me breathless at times with some of the biggest hitting I've ever seen in college tennis. Both players were delievering body blow after body blow, and in the end Taylor Johnson of Wheaton College(IL) was victorious.
Oshkosh and Wheaton individual match scores
The Warhawks didn't even lose in any of their exhibition singles or doubles matches.
After Saturday I can't help, but be excited for the rest of the season. The Warhawks reacted to their disappointing loss to Northern Illinois two weeks ago with great support for everyone on the team. It's obvious the guys are starting to really gel together as a team, and I think our results will show this. As with every match we had great support by the parents, our women's team, and our fans. They are a strong part of our success, and it's great to see them out there.
The Warhawks return to action next Friday against Augustana College (IL) at FLAC in Elkhorn at 12:00pm. Come out if you're in the area, and support the Warhawks!
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