Tennis trying to get back on track

By Max Orenstein
Collegian Staff
April 4, 2007

The La Salle men’s tennis team hoped to ride a winning streak from the fall into the spring season. Unfortunately, they have started the spring 7-9.

Sophomore Tory Ridge makes a shot Friday against Loyola. - Mike Dao

Saint Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, Temple, Fordham, Saint Louis and Division III Elizabethtown have defeated the Explorers this spring. Over the course of this losing streak, La Salle has been swept three times and failed to even force a third set in their first home match against Saint Louis.

“We’re just kind of taking our lumps right now,” Coach Ed Colfer said.

The team is playing without two key players who are currently studying abroad in Australia.

“If we had those two guys, we probably should have won a couple,” Colfer said.

The coach is struggling with a team whose core is composed of a senior and four freshmen.

“We really need to keep on gaining experience,” Colfer said.

Freshman Mary Hardiman gets ready to take a swing against Loyola Friday. - Mike Dao

Colfer cited Christian Harvey and Phil Loatman as a couple of freshmen who are working hard but need to continue gaining experience in order to be successful at the college level.

The light at the end of this tunnel of frustration has been the play of two other freshmen. Matt Rivera and Jonathan Maula (playing at #3 and #4, respectively) have been fairly steady over the last couple of weeks. These two have been the bright spots on the otherwise struggling team.

“Matt Rivera and Jonathan Maula really understand how to manage a match and win points. They’ve really grasped my coaching strategy, and it’s showing in their play,” Colfer said.

Maula had impressive wins against St. Peter’s, Elizabethtown and Fordham, while Rivera grinded out singles victories at Elizabethtown and Fordham. The pair also won their #2 doubles match at Elizabethtown, 9-7.

However, a couple of victories by individual players don’t win matches for the team. The head coach isn’t sure whether the team will be able to turn the season around.

“We need to keep practicing…continue improving,” Colfer said.

If Rivera and Maula can continue to carry the Explorers, hopefully the lumps won’t hit quite so hard.

The women’s tennis team had a tough weekend as well, but they were able to salvage a win on Sunday against Cheyney.

At home on Friday, it was Loyola defeating the Explorers by a score of 5-2. Senior Joann Lee and freshman Rachel Barnhart won singles matches for La Salle.

Saturday, freshman Mary Hardiman was the only Explorer to secure a win, as the team fell to Morgan State, 6-1.

For the second time in as many weekends, the Explorers hosted the woeful Cheyney Wolves on Sunday. The match was a blowout, and Cheyney did not win a game all afternoon. The final score was La Salle 7, Cheyney 0. The women’s team currently stands at 6-8 on the season.

orensteinm1@lasalle.edu