Southwestern Men's Tennis played in the SCAC Conference Tournament, starting their first match on April 27, 2023 and playing in the Championship on April 30, 2023. The tournament was hosted at the Pirates' home courts this year but was conducted as a neutral site. All matches were played until a team clinched. Meaning a team only had to win five of the nine matches to finish the match. Playing on Friday (April 28), Saturday (April 29), and Sunday (April 30) put the Pirates in position for a long, hard fought weekend, full of battles.
On the first day of the tournament (Friday), the Pirates faced off against the University of Dallas. During doubles, the Pirates played incredibly, staying aggressive and sticking to their game style. All three doubles teams communicated well and played phenomenal, winning line one, two, and three. Getting an 8-0 win at line three doubles, Seniors Drew Shuvalov and Steven Tibbetts played with the maturity and mentality of a veteran team. The Pirates were up 3-0 after doubles. Entering singles, the Pirates only needed to win two courts to clinch and had loads of confidence. In two quick matches, Sophomore Jared Burton and Freshman Rylan Hastings both won at lines six and five. Thankfully the Pirates went out there and got the job done, putting them through to the next round!
The Pirates played their second round on Saturday, April 29.In their second match, the Pirates faced off against St. Thomas (TX). Starting out in doubles, the Pirates came out strong. However, so did the Celts. Doubles put the Pirates up 2-1, winning line two and three doubles. Freshmen Bernardo Clemente and Parth Patel played an outstanding match at line two doubles and kept their good energy from the season going. The Celts' fight at line one doubles was incredible and the Pirates could not quite get the win. However, the Pirates were unfazed going into singles. Remaining calm and battling through every match, the Pirates won lines three, five, and six. At line three, Sophomore Oscar Roy fought through his first set to win 7-6 and breezed through the second. Juniors Ryan Flanagan and Anton Borovik both cruised through their matches.
The wins against University of Dallas and St. Thomas (TX) put the Pirates through to the Conference Championship against Trinity (TX). The Championship match was played on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 10:00am.
Knowing they were in for a long match, the Pirates entered the Championship ready to leave everything out on the court. Entering doubles, the Pirates had complete faith in every team and kept the energy high on as well as off the court. The atmosphere was electric. Doubles put the pirates down 1-2, but they were ready to battle in singles. Sophomore Oscar Roy and Freshman Ashton Ellis played an outstanding match together winning, 8-6, at line one doubles. The communication and determination presented during the match by these two was evident and next to none.
Down 1-2, the Pirates were entering singles, their favorite side of the match. The confidence and focus was high among everyone on the team. Those on the outside of the fence were cheering as loudly as they could for their teammates and really kept the positive energy high. Oscar Roy got the Pirates one and only win in singles at line three, making the overall score 2-2. Tension was high as the long, hard fought matches continued, but Trinity clinched at line six before the Pirates could get momentum going their way again. Although they lost, the Pirates left it all out on the court and gave it their best efforts.
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2023 SCAC Conference Tennis Tournament. Your support is greatly appreciated and the Pirates had a fantastic season.