Badgers split weekend with win over Quakers and narrow loss in Tennessee

The Wisconsin men's tennis team concluded a split weekend by securing a home victory over Pennsylvania before suffering a close defeat at Middle Tennessee State. The Badgers now hold an overall record of 6-6 and a conference record of 0-1 in the Big Ten. Despite the recent loss, the team remains without a road win this season as it continues to balance its schedule.

On Friday afternoon, Wisconsin hosted Pennsylvania at Nielsen Tennis Center. The Quakers, coming in with a 4-7 record, had never lost to the Badgers in program history prior to this encounter. Last season, Wisconsin fell 4-3 in a close contest. This time, the home team dominated the court to claim a 6-1 victory, breaking the historical losing streak against this opponent.

Wisconsin established early momentum by taking the doubles point. The No. 1 pair of senior Josef Dodridge and junior Osgar O'Hoisin won 6-1, maintaining their unbeaten record as a duo. Sophomores Daniel Soyfer and Chase Colton followed with a 6-2 win. In singles, Colton, Soyfer, and Dodridge all won in straight sets. Freshman Jesper Freimuth also secured a straight-set victory with scores of 6-2 and 6-3. O'Hoisin required three sets, finishing with a 7-5, 4-6, 10-2 win.

The team then traveled to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to face Middle Tennessee State, who entered the match with a 10-2 record. The Blue Raiders had not lost at home this season and had shut out five opponents. Wisconsin started strongly, with O'Hoisin and Dodridge winning their doubles match 6-4. Senior Chema Carranza and Freimuth then defeated Glan Issa and Jan Porteset 6-2 to secure the doubles point. Soyfer added a 6-4, 6-3 singles win, extending his perfect 10-0 record in singles this season.

Middle Tennessee State responded by winning the next three singles matches to take a 3-2 lead. Dodridge tied the score at 3-3 with a 7-6, 6-1 victory, setting up a deciding match between Carranza and Tom Moonen at No. 2 singles. Carranza lost the first set in a 7-6 tiebreak but won the second 6-1. He led the final set 5-4, but Moonen recovered to win 7-5 and clinch the match for the Blue Raiders.

Head coach Danny Westerman acknowledged the difficulty of the loss but expressed confidence in the team's trajectory. He noted that the experience would help the squad moving forward. Westerman stated that the result stings but emphasized the need to keep working. He explained that placing the team in these competitive situations is necessary to eventually overcome current hurdles.

Wisconsin will return to Nielsen Tennis Center next weekend for a Sunday doubleheader. The team is scheduled to play against Cornell and UW-Green Bay, offering another opportunity to build on its recent performances and adjust its strategy for the remainder of the season.