Losing year ends early at MAACs

By Victoria Lyons
The men’s and women’s tennis teams finished a disappointing season the same way they have played all year in the MAAC Championships this past Friday, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.
The men lost in the quarterfinals against Fairfield 1-6,  having been defeated by the Stags 0-7 on March 28, while the women also lost in the quarter-finals against Marist 0-7, after being beaten by the Red Foxes 0-7 on April 12.
Both the men and the women fought hard battle but came up a little short, according to Head Coach Ed Torres.
“The men and women played up to their potential in their matches against two of the top teams in the MAAC,” he said. “They were more experienced and simply outplayed us.”
For the Rider men (3-18, 0-6 MAAC) junior Rob Olsen was able to pull out a victory, winning in straight sets at sixth singles 6-2, 6-3.
“Rob Olsen, the captain of next year’s team, distinguished himself by winning his match at the number six position,” Torres said. “He has improved greatly this year, and it showed in the match.”
Senior Will Haight, at first singles, and freshman Drew Laverty, at fourth singles, also had commendable performances but fell short in their matches, both scoring 6-3, 6-2.
For the Rider women (4-14, 2-6 MAAC) junior Mallory Garbaravage won five games at fourth singles but was unable to clench the win with the score being 6-1, 6-4.
Sophomore Danielle White also put up a fight at sixth singles, but had to retire with the total being 6-4, 5-0.
Additionally, members from the men’s and women’s tennis teams were awarded MAAC All-Academic honors.
The Rider tennis teams returns with eight letter winners for the men and 12 for the women in the fall.