The men’s tennis team at Thomas More University experienced a disappointing conclusion to their season on Thursday (April 20) after falling to the No. 7 seed Bethel (Tenn.) in the Opening Round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament. The Saints completed their season with an overall record of 3-12 and a conference record of 2-8.
Doubles Results: A Mixed Bag
The doubles round saw some successes and setbacks for the Saints. Senior Sergio San Pablo (Madrid, Spain/Valdefuentes) and first-year Jackson Poulos (Edgewood, Ky./Covington Catholic) secured a tight victory, winning 7-6 against Pedro Vecchi and Pedro Donadon.
However, first-year Samuel Mimbrero Lendinez and sophomore Eliot Burer were unable to maintain the momentum, succumbing to Marcos Neves and Renato Gravina 6-1. Graduate student Gavin Dail (North Hollywood, Calif./Van Nuys) and junior Juan Pablo Villagrana Francisco (Cordoba, Veracruz/TEC de Monterrey) redeemed the round with a 7-6 win over Juan Hernandez and Leonel Caspe.
Singles Struggles
The Saints faced further challenges in the singles matches. Sergio San Pablo was defeated by Pedro Vecchi, losing 6-0 and 6-2. Jackson Poulos and Juan Hernandez’s match ended unfinished at 7-5.
Samuel Mimbrero suffered a loss to Marcos Neves with a score of 6-0 and 6-2. Juan Pablo Villagrana and Pedro Donadon’s match remained unfinished at 6-3 and 5-1. Gavin Dail was bested by Leonel Caspe, falling 6-2 and 6-1. Eliott Burer was also defeated, losing 6-1 and 6-1 to Arthur Trigno.
Up Next: A New Chapter
Despite the season-ending loss, the Saints are looking ahead to the future. The team will return to the court next fall as they compete in the Great Midwest Conference and transition to Division II. This shift presents an opportunity for the Saints to grow and excel as they take on new challenges in the coming season.