Tennis: Red Wolves Look Forward After Sweeping Franklin

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana University East tennis teams defeated Franklin College at the University of Indianapolis Tennis Center on Sunday, April 6.

IU East bested Franklin 4-3 in the men's match, while taking the women's contest 5-2.

"The team always gets excited at the opportunity to play indoors," IU East coach Zach Edwards said. "It's a common topic of discussion, especially during some of the windy practices we've had over the past couple weeks."

"It is great to see the team show that level of excitement to play and it brought out a new level of confidence," Edwards continued. "Obviously, coming out with a win today for both teams will only add to that confidence. It was a great effort all around by the Red Wolves."

The men were able to take the doubles point after securing wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots.

Jace Wilkerson and Kyle Hollingsworth posted a 6-4 victory in the top position just before their teammates, Bryce Wennen and Sachin Vanaraja, picked up a 6-4 victory at No. 2.

Hollingsworth and Vanaraja went on to take victories at #1 and #2 singles. With the overall match score tied at 3-3, Clay Conner secured the victory in dramatic fashion, winning a second set tiebreaker 7-5 with everyone in the whole building watching.

The women won all five of the possible singles points. After winning at No. 1 doubles earlier in the day, Brooke Schafstall and Gracie Helms secured singles victories for the Red Wolves in straight sets. Kerstin Ellis and Lexi Swauger also won their singles matches in straight sets. Chantelle Mapondera, No. 2 singles, dominated the first set 6-1, but had to fight back in the second set. She was down 2-5 but clawed her way back and won the second set 7-5.

The women are now 3-7 overall as Red Wolves hope to continue their high level of play as they take on Lourdes University on Tuesday, April 8. The contest at the Shadow Valley Tennis Club in Maumee, Ohio starts at 11 a.m.

Both teams will take on Wittenberg University on Wednesday, April 9. The men will enter the affair at Glen Miller Park with a 2-9 record. Hollingsworth will be honored in a Senior Day celebration beginning at 1:45 p.m.

A pair of River States Conference matches will be on tap this weekend as the Red Wolves entertain Midway University at Glen Miller Park on Friday, April 11. On Saturday, the Red Wolves will travel to IU Southeast.

IU East 4, Franklin 3

Kyle Hollingsworth/Jace Wilkerson (IUE) defeated Lucas Densford/Marcus Cox 6-4
Sachin Vanaraja/Bryce Wennen (IUE) defeated Raymond Richard and Owen Pickerill 6-4
Jaden Wells/Nathan Jarboe defeated Clay Conner/No Player (IUE)
Kyle Hollingsworth (IUE) defeated Marcus Cox 6-1 6-3
Sachin Vanaraja (IUE) defeated Jaden Wells 6-3 6-1
Owen Pickerill defeated Jace Wilkerson (IUE) 6-0 6-2
Lucas Densford defeated Bryce Wennen (IUE) 6-2 6-2
Clay Conner (IUE) defeated Raymond Richard 6-2 7-6 (7-5)
Daniel Hernandez defeated No Player (IUE)

IU East 5, Franklin 2

Brooke Schafstall/Gracie Helms (IUE) defeated Ailyn Hendricks/Sydney Carson 6-0
Brenna Atchinson/Sofie Ballesteros defeated Kerstin Ellis/Chantelle Mapondera (IUE) 6-2
Emma Sappenfield/Mattie Foster defeated Lexi Swauger/No Player (IUE)
Brooke Schafstall (IUE) defeated Ailyn Hendricks 6-3 6-3
Chantelle Mapondera (IUE) defeated Sofie Ballesteros 6-1 7-5
Lexi Swauger (IUE) defeated Emma Sappenfield 6-3 6-4
Gracie Helms (IUE) defeated Brenna Atchinson 6-2 6-2
Kerstin Ellis (IUE) defeated Mattie Foster 6-0 6-2
Alyssa Hartman defeated No Player (IUE)