The No. 46 Oregon women’s tennis team struggled this weekend on a road trip against Big Ten opponents Michigan and Ohio State.
The Ducks (5-4) had hoped that last weekend’s win against Purdue was a sign of things to come against the Big Ten; however, they struggled against No. 25 Michigan and were defeated 7-0 in the weekend-opening match. The loss marked the first time this season that the Ducks were shutout in the win column.
Hoping to bounce back from the defeat, Oregon again focused on winning the doubles point to get off on the right track.
But it was not to be. The Ducks were swept by Ohio State in doubles play.
The No. 45 Buckeyes continued their performance in singles play, winning four of six singles matches to win the match 5-2.
Freshman Celine Rolly, in the Ducks’ number one spot, battled back from losing the first set to win the match 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10) and junior Carmen Seremeta won in three sets, marking Oregon’s sole singles victories of the weekend.
Oregon opens up Pacific-10 Conference play this weekend on the road against Washington State and Washington.
The men’s team managed to get a split this weekend against two California opponents that Oregon coach Nils Schyllander called “NCAA tournament-bound” last week.
The Ducks (6-5) opened the weekend with a strong performance against No. 63 UC Irvine, winning 5-1.
Marcos Verdasco, Francisco Gallardo and Alex Cornelissen won their singles matches for the Ducks in singles play.
No. 5 Romeo Mortera had his match against Stephen Stege stopped due to weather, ending the match and giving Oregon its first win against a ranked opponent this season.
The weather looked as if it was going to be a problem against UC Santa Barbara on Sunday, but improved shortly before the match was set to begin and was played as scheduled.
It may have been better for Oregon if it hadn’t.
No. 5 Geoff Embry won his singles match 7-6, 6-1, getting the sole point of the match for the Ducks, as they were defeated 6-1.
Oregon begins Pac-10 play at home this weekend against Washington on Friday before facing non-conference foe Denver on Sunday.