Colgate tennis is back! The men’s and women’s Tennis teams sent a message loud and clear to the rest of the Patriot League with their dominating victories over Holy Cross and Lehigh last weekend. The men entered the matches in need of a victory to solidify their ranking as the third-seed heading into the Patriot League Tournament and did just that by trouncing the Holy Cross Crusaders 7-0 last Saturday. Colgate handily won all nine matches and did not lose a single set to the Crusaders. Senior Chris Innes led the way at first singles by beating his opponent 6-1, 6-0. Senior Marshall Wheeler put on an even more impressive win by taking every single game in his 6-0, 6-0 win. With the victory over the Crusaders in tow, Colgate headed to Bethlehem determined to make amends for last year’s 7-0 defeat. The men opened the match strongly with stellar performances at first and second doubles. The tandem of Innes and Wheeler proved to be unstoppable as they easily disposed of their opponents, 8-3. Not to be outdone by their elders, sophomore Marty MacIntyre and junior Tyler “I hit the ball so hard people hit the” Deck kept their winning streak alive by showing no mercy to their opponents en route to a decisive 8-2 win. The good vibes kept flowing for the Raiders as they clinched the match by winning four of five singles matches. MacIntyre made quick work of his second singles opponent, winning 6-0, 6-2. Deck and first-years John Nogueras and Michael Yassky each won their singles match in three sets.

“It felt great to beat Lehigh convincingly after they beat us so badly last year, which cost us a trip to the tournament,” MacIntyre rejoiced. With the win the Raiders move to 10-9 on the year and more importantly 4-2 in Patriot League play.

Last Saturday, the women’s team kept its hot streak alive by defeating Holy Cross, 6-1 at Saratoga Springs. Senior Jackie Couture returned to earlier form by defeating her opponent 6-0, 6-0. It was more of the same for outstanding first-year Elise Derose and fellow first-year phenom Samantha Inacker, who both blanked their opponents at second and third singles respectively.

While it was raining in upstate New York last Sunday, Colgate let it rain on the defenseless Lehigh Mountain Hawks. The Raiders started out the match on fire by clinching the doubles point with victories in the first and second spots. Once again the combination of experience and youth proved lethal, as Couture and DeRose teamed up to easily dispatch their foes, 8-3. Sophomore Cameron Thaney and Inacker also beat their opponents, 8-3. On the singles sides, the Raiders kept the ball rolling with victories coming in the second, third, fifth, and sixth singles spots. The Camerons both came through for the Raiders with Thaney winning her match 7-6(3), 5-7, and 10-7 in the tiebreaker and first-year Williams winning by default in the sixth spot.

“Clinching the second seed for the Patriot League Tournament is really exciting and I think a big confidence booster for everyone,” DeRose said.”The team is looking forward to a successful weekend back at Lehigh for the tournament.”

With the victory the women clinched the second spot in the upcoming Patriot League tournament and end the season 5-1 in the Patriot League and 11-7 overall. The women head to Lehigh to compete in Patriot League Tournament on April 28th. The men will head to Navy on Saturday to compete in the Patriot League Tournament.

“The seeding doesn’t mean much to us because we came so close to beating top-seeded Navy and second-seeded Army in the regular season,” MacIntyre said. “We are excited about having the opportunity to prove how good a team we really are, starting with Lafayette on Saturday.”