The West Chester University men’s tennis team is truly going through a long rough patch. WCU (1-9, 0-3 PSAC) has not won a match since returning from Florida, as they dropped both contests this week to extend their losing streak to four.
Injuries, suspensions and a few lost players have played a role in the current woes for the Golden Rams.
Their less than stellar week began in Philadelphia, as they visited the city of Brotherly Love to take on Philadelphia University. The team was still without Charlie Rushing and Lucas Von der Hyde, and were now without Aidan Henken due to injury as well. This left them shorthanded, forcing them to forfeit fifth and sixth singles, as well as third doubles.
They were able to nab one court, as Norman Patten continued his ability to go against the grain with a victory in a tiebreaker 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7).
Patten hopes that his continued fight will permeate through the team to not view the season as lost. Kyill Curry came close to grabbing another win for West Chester but fell in a third set tiebreaker 6-10.
The men tried to turn the tide when visiting Harford Community College in Maryland. The change of state did not change the outcome for the Golden Rams, however, as they lost the court battle 3-6.
They were successful at getting contributions from courts outside of Patten, however, as he was joined by a returning Von der Hyde and Keanu Travelino in the winner’s circle.
Patten won his match at first singles 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, outlasting his opponent in a marathon. Von Der Hyde, returning from a wrist injury, was a welcome addition to a depleted Golden Rams team, and he rewarded them with a three set win.
Travelino was able to make quicker work of his opponent, sending them off in straight sets 7-6, 6-4.
The Golden Rams’ next match will be happening just as this issue makes its way out on Sunday, April 2 at noon. It will be a PSAC matchup against the Bloomsburg Huskies.
Ryan Hunt is a fourth-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at RH803937@wcupa.edu.