Cabrini men’s tennis team faced Eastern University in the Battle of Eagle Road on Thursday, April 7. The backyard rivalry, which took place at the Dixon Courts ended in an 8-1 loss for the Cavaliers who now stand with a record of 2-7.
Junior Jake Neary earned the lone point for the Blue and White in his No. 6 singles match against Easterns Ryan Dykstra. This is Neary’s first win of the 2011 season.
Although the final score may not show it, many of these matches remained competitive throughout the day. Juniors Justin Lutteroty and Ian Monson lost in a close doubles matchup against Easterns Tyler Hoagland and Dan Wilson with a score of 9-7. Multiple breaks back and forth kept the match neck and neck. The Cavs were the first to falter after giving up a 40-15 lead in one of the final games.
Lutteroty admits that the team did not have the highest of hopes to come out of this matchup victorious.
“Me and Ian were just having fun out there practicing for more important matches,” Lutteroty said. “We took it as a learning experience and now we need to close out matches.”
Junior Nate Martin also had a close singles match against Easterns Tyler Hoagland where he lost 6-3, 6-4. In the second set Martin owned a 4-1 lead before Hoagland came back to win five unanswered games.
“I just need to work on getting better and we as a team need to improve on becoming more consistent,” Martin said.
Head Coach Rich Aldrete explained that this was the first season he had to seek out athletes to fill the team due to many of his previous players graduating. He claimed he could not be happier with the progress his new players have made.
“I’ve got a pretty good bunch of lower level players at the 5 and 6 level even the 3 and 4,” Aldrete said. “I don’t have the top ended players.”
Junior Walter Jesuncosky is one of the few veterans to help in leading the team. He has also been impressed with the amount of progress some of the rookie players have made.
“It’s great watching these guys get better. Joe Stafford is one of the guys I’ve seen grow the most,” Jesuncosky said. “He won’t admit it but he’s gotten a lot better since last season.”
Due to the programs recent past of high caliber performances the schedule they play is extremely competitive. This leaves a rough road ahead for some of the newer players.
“I tell my guys it’s going to be a real tough experience out there and so they have to learn to go out there and be competitive,” Aldrete said.
After a good spring training in Hilton Head, South Carolina the team recently entered the season with high morale and confidence.
“They’re in a position now where they feel pretty good about playing,” Aldrete said. “They need to take the next step now and perform. I have expectations for these guys now.”
The next match for the Blue and White is at home on Saturday, April 9 at 12 p.m. against Colonial States Athletic Conference rival Keystone College.
“We need to beat Keystone to have a chance to get into the playoffs so we’re going to work hard to do so,” Martin said.
