CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Home for the first time in weeks the Royals tennis program hosted the Cobras of Coker today in a South Atlantic Conference Match. On the women's side the Royals continued to show their form and took the match by the score of 9-0. The men on the other hand found themselves in a heavyweight fight against a top ten in the region, and ultimately fell by the score of 6-3.
Women
The women showed their dominance nearly all day with every match going no more than two sets, and no Cobra picking up more than two games a set. That dominance was on display early when the Royals won every doubles match either 8-1 or 8-0. Earning victories for Queens were the pairings of
Christina Rustscheff (8-1),
Claire Hamilton and
Jaclyn Rock (8-0), and
Jacklyn Pfuhl and Paige Ernes (8-1).
In singles the Royals continued to roll with Rustscheff (6-0, 6-1), Laing (6-1, 6-0), Rock (6-0, 6-2), Hamilton, (6-1, 6-0),
Jessee Clauson (6-1, 6-0), and Ernest (6-0, 6-0) all picking up wins.
The Royals are currently 8-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Men
Facing a regionally ranked team the men displayed a mental toughness that kept them in nearly every match. With the day extending over five hours the Royals left everything on the court, and only allowed the Cobras to barely escape with a victory.
The Royals were able to jump to an early 2-1 lead when their focus on doubles earned them two victories. Leading the way were the pairings of
Andre Bafume and
Ole-Jacob Meum (8-4) and
Will Roberson and
Ignacio Casali (8-3).
Rolling into the singles portion of the match the Royals faced a murderer's row of opponents that included nationally ranked Andre Staab. But, the Royals refused to give in and the trio of
Per-Erik Soler,
Jules Athalis, and Casali all pushed their opponents to the brink in grueling matches.
Zachary Williams ultimately picked up the lone point for the Royals when he defeated his opponent (6-1, 6-0).
The Royals are 6-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Both teams host Newberry this Sunday at Freedom Park.
