Loyola Tennis Finishes Season
By Nick Mooney
Loyola’s Men and Women’s Tennis finished up their season this past weekend at the MAAC Championship at the National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. Both teams were defeated No. 2-seeded Marist in the semifinal round. The third-seeded women fell 4-3 to Marist, which had come down to the fifth singles set. The fourth-seeded men on the other hand lost to top-seeded Marist 4-0.
Despite the loss in the MAAC Championship, the Greyhounds have had an extremely successful season. “I couldn’t be more proud our team, men and women’s, “said Sophomore Keyan Sanai, who competes in the men’s No. 1 doubles and singles. “We worked really hard this year, did very well, and made it very far. I look forward to working harder next year, and returning to the MAAC Championship stronger than before.” Sanai and Sophomore Pierce Norton defeated Matthew Kane and Jeremy Quiroz of Niagara 8-7 in No. 1 doubles in the first round of the MAAC Championship. The Greyhounds were able to take the edge against Niagara 4-3.
The women swept No. 6 Manhattan in their first round of the MAAC Championship. Sophomore Rachel Janasek and Senior Kerri Swan defeated Manhattan’s Lili Johnson and Stephanie Tsao 8-5. Janasek defeated Lili Johnson 6-2, 2-6, 10-5 in the No. 1 singles match. “We really did well this year, losing in the semi’s was definitely hard on all of us,” said Janasek, who was awarded the MAAC Women’s Rookie of the Year Award last year. “It really has been a fun season, although we didn’t win the MAAC Championship, we really exceeded expectations and showed that we are one of the top teams in our conference. “ In addition to a great season, Janasek received the Women’s Tennis Most Valuable Player Award.
The men and women’s teams will be losing Seniors Matt McDaniel, Tim Koch, Lauren Cassle, Caitlyn Day, Stephanie Dunn, and Kerri Swan. “It will definitely be tough re-adjusting after losing the talent we have in these seniors,” said Head Coach Rick McClure, who is in his 28th year with the Greyhounds tennis program. “However, we have a lot of talent in our freshmen, sophomores, and juniors that will allow us to rebuild and have another successful season.”
Sophomores Liz Black, Rachel Bergeron, and Rachel Janasek all agreed on one three common goals for next year. “We want to beat Marist, win the MAAC Championship, and go to the NCAA Tournament,” the three of them agreed. “Marist slipped by us twice this year winning 4-3 both times, and we do not want to let them win again. As for the winning the MAAC and going to the NCAA Tournament, it will take a lot of hard work and dedication.”
