After enjoying some rest and relaxation during the spring break, the mens tennis team returned to the home courts to take on Hamline and hopefully end a two meet losing streak that festered for the entire 10-day March hiatus. Unfortunately, the Pipers took down the Oles 6-3, sending the squad into a season worst three game skid. The meet started promisingly enough as Ted Nagel 04 and Tom Nagel 04 dispatched John Schollmeier and Troy Kleven 8-4 in number one doubles. Dan Cohen 04 and Matt Sebeka 03 followed suit in number two doubles by defeating the Hamline duo of Ben Watkins and Ben Krueger 8-5. However, the Oles would register only one more victory to make up the final margin. Tom Nagel emerged with an exhilarating 3-6, 6-0, 13-11 over Troy Kleven in number two singles. Three days later the squad hit the road to face St. Marys, with every intention of making the current setback nothing more then a memory. The Oles got down to business right away, taking two of the first three doubles matches and never looking back. After starting the match with a number one doubles victory, the Nagel brothers each earned a victory in the top two singles spots. Tom Nagel, playing number one singles, vanquished a solid St. Marys opponent 7-6, 6-3. Ted Nagel dispatched his number two singles foe to move the team within one match of breaking the streak. After losses at number three and four singles Ross Bidlingmaier 05, competing in number five singles, tallied his first collegiate victory to mercifully bring the streak to an end. Mike Matsuura 06 followed with a win at number six singles to round out the score. "I was really proud of the way we played," said coach Scott Nesbit. "We competed well at all the positions and beat a very talented St. Marys team." The victory over the Cardinals brought the Oles conference record to 3-4. The squad will get some good old home cooking this weekend as it hopes to get back to .500. First, Illinois Wheaton College treks to the town of "cows, colleges and contentment" for a 3:30 p.m. non-conference scuffle April 11. Macalester invades the courts the very next morning at 11 a.m., providing the Oles with their first chance to return to .500 in MIAC play. As it turns out, the team doesnt have to leave the Hill for the remainder of the 2003 schedule. After Wheaton College settles in for the six-hour bus ride down I-90 and Macalester returns to its St. Paul abode, the Oles will host Carleton in their final regular season match on April 16 and then prepare for the MIAC Championships, set to commence on the last Friday in April. A strong finish is entirely possible as home court advantage will allow for plenty of practice time and a distinct advantage of visiting foes. All the ingredients are present for great year ending, home-cooked successes. Lets hope the Ole men find the right recipe and cook up something good come MIAC tournament time.
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