The Maroons were tested this weekend with three tough matches against Wash U, UT Tyler, and UW–Whitewater. The squad ended the weekend with a 2–1 overall record, with wins over UT Tyler and UW–Whitewater. The Maroons improved to a 13–4 overall record and now rank 13th in the nation.
The action began in St. Louis on Saturday morning, where Chicago took to the courts against Wash U. First-year Nick Chua started the squad off right with a decisive two-set win over his opponent, second-year John Carswell, to clinch a singles victory.
The squad then suffered four singles losses. However, it was able to close out the singles portion with another decisive win from first-year David Liu.
The action continued in the doubles matches, where Chicago captured two of the three matches. A pair of fourth-years in the No. 1 doubles spot, Ankur Bhagarva and Deepak Sabada, won their match 8–5. A pair of first-years, Liu and Chua, earned a close 9–8 victory at No. 3 doubles. However, the rally was not enough, as Chicago was edged by the Bears by a final score of 5–4.
Later that day, the squad faced off against UT Tyler. The Maroons dominated in this match and pulled away with a 7–2 overall score. Chua, Liu, second-year Max Hawkins, and third-year Gordon Zhang all recorded singles victories for the squad. Chicago then swept the doubles rounds, with wins by Bhagarva and Sabada, Zhang and Hawkins, and Liu and Chua.
The men continued their hot streak on Sunday morning with a crushing 8–1 victory over UW–Whitewater, marking Chicago’s first win over Whitewater in four years.
The Maroons picked up wins early and often in Sunday’s matchup, which was Chicago’s 10th match against a nationally ranked opponent this season. The squad went 2–1 in the doubles matches with wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. These wins marked an undefeated weekend in doubles play for these South Siders.
The Maroons used this success as a springboard heading into singles, where they swept all six matches. Liu and first-year Michael Selin both went into three sets at the No. 4 and 5 spots, but stole away with sharp third sets.
“Right now I think our goals are the same. we need to do well at UAAs and hopefully to qualify for NCAAs,” said Chua.
The weekend brings Chicago to a 13–4 overall record. It will continue its streak of competing against ranked teams when it takes on Gustavus Adolphus this Sunday. It is the last match before the UAA Championships.
