Tennis Teams Celebrate Seniors in Home Match Vs. DePauw
SPRINGFIELD, OH – Four players on the women's squad and three on the men's were honored during Senior Recognition Day for both Wittenberg Tennis teams on Friday, April 18, during a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) match against visiting DePauw at Albright Tennis Complex.
In their final match of the season, the women's team celebrated seniors Caroline Sproule (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy Orange), Sidney Purks (Oakwood, OH / Oakwood), Grace Ralston (Georgetown, OH / Georgetown) and Carissa Schroeder (Westerville, OH / Westerville South).
Sproule, who picked up her 100th career win earlier this week, has been at No. 1 singles the past two seasons. She picked up No. 101 vs. DePauw in her final match of the season by defeating her opponent in three sets, 6-0, 2-6, and 1-0 (10-6). Unfortunately, the day ended with a 6-1 loss to DePauw for the women, who finish at 0-15 and 0-6 NCAC on the season. With the win, DePauw improves to 9-9 and 3-2 NCAC.
Sproule and Purks also went out on a winning note at first doubles, defeating their opponent 6-4. However, the Tigers fell in the other two doubles matches in scores of 6-2 and 6-0 giving DePauw the doubles point.
On the men's side, the Tigers celebrated seniors Ethan Libby (Loveland, OH / Loveland) Kyle Fout (Gahanna, OH / Gahanna Lincoln), and Andrew Garofoli (Springboro, OH / Springboro) on the day.
The men also fell to DePauw, 7-0 in the NCAC matchup. Doubles teams lost in scores of 6-4, 6-1, and 6-0. Their record drops to 1-17 overall and 0-6 in the NCAC. DePauw improves to 13-7 on the season and 4-2 NCAC. The men will play one more match, traveling to Wabash on Saturday, April 17 for a 2 p.m. battle.
All the seniors have been competitive on the court throughout their careers with the Tigers and will be missed.
"This season has been tough for both teams, but very rewarding at the same time," said John DeVito, Wittenberg tennis coach. "I am extremely proud of each and every player on the team, especially this group of seniors. They deserve everything they have earned throughout their careers at Witt!"
Women's Singles vs. DePauw:
- Court 1: Caroline Sproule (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy Orange) won 6-0, 2-6, 1-0 (10-6)
- Court 2: Sidney Purks (Oakwood, OH / Oakwood) lost 6-1, 6-2
- Court 3: Marin Summers (Columbus, OH / Hilliard Davison) lost 6-2, 6-1
- Court 4: Celeste Hartings (Tipp City, OH / Tippecanoe) lost 6-0, 6-0
- Court 5: Grace Ralston (Georgetown, OH / Georgetown) lost 6-0, 6-0
- Court 6: Carissa Schroeder (Westerville, OH / Westerville South) lost 6-0, 6-0
Men's Singles vs. DePauw:
- Court 1: Ethan Libby (Loveland, OH / Loveland) lost 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
- Court 2: Kyle Fout (Gahanna, OH / Gahanna Lincoln) lost 6-4, 6-2
- Court 3: Justin Hardie (Centerville, OH / Centerville) lost 6-1, 6-1
- Court 4: Jacob Bennett (Pickerington, OH / Pickerington Central) lost 6-1, 6-0
- Court 5: Andrew Garofoli (Springboro, OH / Springboro) lost 6-1, 6-0
- Court 6: Daniel Patel (Pittsburgh, PA / Shaler Area) lost 6-0, 6-0
Written By: Cindy Holbrook