BABSON PARK, Fla. (March 7, 2019) – The Webber International University men's and women's tennis teams hosted some tough competition at the Webber Campus Tennis Courts the last two days as the Warriors fell to NCAA Division-II Walsh University by scores of 5-4 on the men's side and 8-1 on the women's side on Wednesday, March 6, before coming back one day later and upsetting NCAA Division-I Mount St. Mary's University 6-3 on the men's side and 5-4 on the women's on Thursday, March 7.

In addition to being the first wins over an NCAA Division-I opponent in the career of Head Coach Otis Cutshaw on either the men's or women's sides, the win for the Lady Warriors was also Coach Cutshaw's first time coming back from down 3-0 after doubles to win a match.

After the two matches, the Webber women's tennis team improved to 6-4 overall on the season, surpassing its number of wins from a year ago during Coach Cutshaw's first season with the Warriors while also earning its most wins as a program since the 2011-12 season. Additionally, the Webber men's team improved to 5-5, matching its same number of wins from a year ago.
 
Webber vs. Walsh University (Wednesday, March 6; Babson Park, Fla.):
Men's Highlights

• Webber led 2-1 after doubles after wins in the No. 1 spot by Ivan Bondarenko and Tare Mariga (8-2) and in the No. 3 spot by Hugo Hasegawa and Marc Schneider (8-6).
• Mariga won 6-4, 6-1 in the No. 3 singles spot and Bondarenko won 6-2, 6-1 in the No. 2 position to put Webber up 4-1, but the Warriors were unable to earn the winning point dropping the final four singles matches.
• Schneider lost in three sets, 6-4, 1-6, 1-0 (10-7), at No. 5 singles while Jordi Serrano fell 7-6, 7-5 in a close one at No. 6 singles.

 
 Women's Highlights

• The only win for the Warriors came from freshman Paula John in the No. 2 spot as she took it 7-6, 7-6.
• Jenna Fosdick fell 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 at No. 4 singles while Megan Kelson dropped her match at No. 6 singles 7-5, 6-3.

 
Webber vs. Mount St. Mary's University (Thursday, March 7; Babson Park, Fla.):
Men's Highlights

• For the second straight match, Webber again led 2-1 after doubles thanks to wins by Ivan Bondarenko and Tare Mariga (No. 1 doubles; W 8-4) and by Hugo Hasegawa and Marc Schneider (No. 2 doubles; W 9-7).
• In the final doubles match to finish, Matthew Alexander and Christof Buehler fell 9-8 (7-5) in a very close match at No. 3 doubles.
• Webber then clinched the match with three straight wins to start singles action as Hasegawa won 6-0, 6-2 in the No. 1 spot, Mariga won 6-3, 6-2 in the No. 2 spot and Bondarenko won 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5) in a comeback effort in the No. 3 spot.
• Schneider earned another win for the Warriors, taking it 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 6 singles spot.

 
Women's Highlights

• Down 3-0 after doubles despite a close 9-7 defeat by Emily John and Paula John in the No. 1 spot, the Warriors responded with their backs up against the wall to win five of the six singles matches.
• P. John won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles, and her sister, E. John, won 6-4, 6-1 in the No. 1 spot.
• Then, after a loss in the No. 3 singles position put Webber only one loss away from dropping the match, the Warriors came up with three straight wins to close it out in winning style as Jenna Fosdick won 7-5, 0-6, 1-0 (10-5) in a three-setter in the No. 4 spot, Megan Kelson dominated with a 6-1, 6-0 win in the No. 6 spot, and Svenja Koenig came up with a three-set win of her own, 6-7 (2-7), 6-1, 1-0 (10-6) in the No. 5 spot.

 
Next Up: Webber tennis will remain at home to host another NCAA Division-II squad, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, in two days starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, as the Warriors continue to challenge themselves with tough competition before the final stretch of Sun Conference action.