After a spring break that tested their limits, the men’s tennis team stormed back onto the court this weekend with a stronger command of their game, poised to make waves in North Coast Athletic Conference play. They rolled past the Division II Tiffin University Dragons with a 5–2 win Saturday, and kept the momentum going Sunday with a 7–0 sweep over Wittenberg University in their first match of North Coast Athletic Conference play.
Against the Dragons, the doubles laid the foundation. In a closely contested match, third-year Shawn Lisann and first-year Brady Huggett overcame Tiffin’s No. 1 duo, securing a 7–6 (4) win. Though the Yeomen’s No. 2 team was unable to capitalize on three match points, first-years Oliver Knijnenburg and Max Brose delivered a commanding 6–3 win.
In singles play, the top two slots proved challenging, but the team rallied to secure victories in the lower singles spots. Second-year Zain Makada’s strong forehand kept him in control as he clinched a solid 6–3, 6–4 win in No. 3 singles, while Tiffin’s No. 4 was unable to finish his match against Brose due to a nagging injury.
Having to step on court earlier than expected was taxing for No. 5 Knijnenburg, as he struggled to find his game in the first set.
“I took a break after that first set,” Knijnenburg said. “And yeah, I came back on the court with a new mindset of just focusing on one ball at a time, and I think that helped a lot.”
The first-year came out swinging in the second, securing an early break and riding that momentum into a dominant 10–4 super tiebreak win to take the match 5–7, 6–2, 10–4. Closing out the day, third-year James Foster found his groove after falling behind 0–2 and rattled off 10 of the next 11 games, ultimately sealing the win 6–3, 6–1.
Against Tiffin, like in every match, the team was vocal in its support of one another.
“Everyone is screaming after points,” first-year Enrique Margain said. “That is really different, especially as a [first-year] coming from juniors where you’re competing for yourself. Now you’re competing for a team.”
The Yeomen returned to action on Sunday to host Wittenberg University in their first NCAC matchup of the season. With Wittenberg fielding just five players, Oberlin needed only one win from two doubles matches to steal the point. The Yeomen seized the point with ease as the No. 1 duo of Lisann and Huggett dominated 6–1, while Makada and Margain crushed Wittenberg’s No. 2 duo 6–0.
Recent injuries led to a reshuffling of positions on the team, but Makada made a seamless debut as No. 1, staying aggressive for a tight 7–5, 6–4 victory. Margain was ruthless at No. 2, delivering his fastest win of the season in a 6–1, 6–0 demolition. Brose matched the intensity, winning every deuce point in a 6–1, 6–0 rout of Wittenberg’s No. 3.
Knijnenburg, building off Saturday’s breakthrough, stepped into the No. 4 position to seize a decisive 6–3, 6–0 victory. Ben Tichauer wrapped up the day with a composed 6–4, 6–0 win. With a forfeit at No. 6 singles, Oberlin completed a clean sweep.
Spring break appeared to play a crucial role in the team’s development. The Yeomen squared off against a tough team in Union College and nationally ranked programs in Hamilton College and Luther College, walking away from each match without a team win. Yet for a roster with more than half its players in their first year, those losses became building blocks.
“A lot of players that didn’t always play in the starting lineup got to get good match experience that week,” Lisann said. “It was really important for team development … and that I think paid off for the matches that we had this past weekend.”
Underlying the successes on court is a team that has built itself not just by improving its tactics but also by fostering a strong team culture.
Assistant Coach Manickam Manickam credited Foster and second-year Tory Johansson for bringing in positive energy and boosting morale. This enthusiasm has extended to alumni Michael Drougas, OC ’18; Robert Gittings, OC ’18; Matthew Gittings, OC ’19; Camron Cohen, OC ’20; and William Lennon, OC ’17, who are set to return and cheer on the Yeomen during their two home games this weekend.
Fueled by their strong team spirit and finesse on the courts, the Yeomen are primed to conquer the most demanding stretch of the season that lies ahead. Oberlin is slated to play two matches this weekend, against Wabash College Friday at 5:30 p.m. followed by DePauw University Saturday at 2 p.m.
