By Staff Writer Greg Estabrooks.
The UMass Dartmouth tennis team was on the wrong side of consecutive straight-set sweeps earlier this week. Unlike the women’s tennis team, who plays the entirety of their schedule in the fall, the men’s tennis schedule is somewhat unconventional, as they play 2 matches in the fall and then the remainder of their schedule in the spring time.
On Wednesday, October 3rd, the boys team took to the courts in their first match of the season against non-league opponent Eastern Nazerene in Quincy. The Eastern Nazerene Lions unfortunately got the best of the Corsairs and beat them on their home courts 9-0.
Junior Santiago Camero and freshman Tim Schoengens of the Lions were winners in singles action, and then later teamed up for a victory as the number two doubles team.
Sophomore Jesus Lucart also pulled out wins in both disciplines, including a 6-4, 6-4 triumph at number six singles over sophomore Sean Nutter in the closest match of the competition.
The next day, UMass Dartmouth hoped to bounce back at home on October 4th against Stonehill, another non-league opponent.
They would fall short despite their efforts, and end up taking another 9-0 defeat.
Junior Samuel Miller and sophomore Russell White each claimed singles victories, and then linked up for a win at number one doubles to lead the visiting Skyhawks to a win and a perfect 3-0 record on the season. Stonehill was able to earn straight-set victories across the board in both singles and doubles.
The Corsairs men’s tennis team is coming off a relatively successful 2017-2018 campaign in which they were 8-9 overall and 4-2 in the Little East Conference, which was good enough for the 3rd best regular season record. They would eventually fall to Salem State during the postseason in the semifinals.
The team is certainly full of youth and promise, as there are currently only 3 upperclassmen on the roster, including senior Anthony Joseph who was 8-6 in singles play last year. The 2018-2019 team consists of 5 freshmen and 4 sophomores, so there is plenty of room to improve.
All 12 boys on the team come from Massachusetts high schools. Two of them, freshmen Sean Manny and Kyle Noseworthy, are graduates of Dartmouth High School.
The team is coached by UMass Dartmouth alumni and former tennis star Karsten Rathlev, who graduated in 2014 and then took over as head coach immediately afterwards.
The UMass Dartmouth squad would have liked to get off to a little better start this season, but at least now they’ll have a long offseason to hone their skills and get ready for the spring portion of their schedule.
The Corsairs briefly resume action in February, when they play Wheaton College on the 16th in a non-league match.
They kick off the main segment of their schedule against Curry College at home on March 21st, and then begin conference play on March 23rd when they host Castleton.
PHOTO COURTESY: CORSAIR ATHLETICS