Griffin Hammond about to backhand a shot against Central March 1, 2024

Meredith Mahoney

Men’s Tennis Splits Second Day of Spring Break Trip

Titans off to best start since 2010-11

3/12/2024 9:27:00 PM

ORLANDO, Fla. - On the second day of its spring break trip, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's tennis team split its two matches Tuesday, March 12. The Titans opened the day with a 6-3 win over St. Norbert College before falling to Hampden-Sydney College, 9-0.

With a record of 7-3, Illinois Wesleyan is off to its best start since head coach Sam Totten began leading the Titans in the fall of 2018, and the program's best start since 2010-11.

The Titans opened the day with an early win over St. Norbert. Junior Zeke Cross (Springfield, Ill.-Springfield) and sophomore Griffin Hammond (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) picked up the lone win in paired action for the Green and White, winning 8-2 at No. 2 doubles.

Illinois Wesleyan was dominant in the singles portion of the match to secure the win, as the Titans won No. 2-6 singles. Sophomore Ben Vigneri (Casper, Wyo.-Phillips Exeter Academy) won his sets 6-2, 6-0 for a victory at No. 2 singles. McCoy picked up the win at No. 3, taking his sets 6-0, 6-1. Freshman Thad Dillow (Effingham, Ill.-Effingham) was victorious at No. 4 individuals, with set scores of 6-1, 6-4. Cross claimed the victory at No. 5 singles, winning his sets 6-3, 6-1, and Hammond brought home the win at No. 6 to close out the match. After taking his first set, 6-0, Hammond fell in the second, 6-1, but dug out the win in the tiebreaker set, winning it 11-9.

Amid its third match in a 24-hour span, Illinois Wesleyan could not find its footing against the Tigers (3-5). Vigneri, playing up into the No. 1 individual slot, was the lone Titan to pick up a set win as he took his second set, 6-4.

IWU will enjoy a day off tomorrow before concluding its action down in Florida with a match against Ohio Wesleyan University Thursday, March 14. Action is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET.

IWU vs. SNC Results
Singles competition
1. Brett Daniels (SNC) def. Turnbull, Ian (IWU), by default
2. Vigneri, Ben (IWU) def. Jackson Harpt (SNC) 6-2, 6-0
3. McCoy, Ryan (IWU) def. Anthony Michels (SNC) 6-0, 6-1
4. Dillow, Thad (IWU) def. Joe Pellechia (SNC) 6-1, 6-4
5. Cross, Zeke (IWU) def. David Vandenberg (SNC) 6-3, 6-1
6. Hammond, Griffin (IWU) def. Brian Coulter (SNC) 6-0, 1-6, 11-9

Doubles competition
1. Brett Daniels/Jackson Harpt (SNC) def. McCoy, Ryan/Vigneri, Ben (IWU) 8-5
2. Cross, Zeke/Hammond, Griffin (IWU) def. Joe Pellechia/Brian Coulter (SNC) 8-2
3. Anthony Michels/David Vandenberg (SNC) def. Dillow, Thad/Tomecki, Chase (IWU) 8-4

IWU vs. HSC Results
Singles competition
1. Dillon McReynolds (HSC) def. Vigneri, Ben (IWU) 6-1, 4-6, 10-7
2. Casey Coffey (HSC) def. McCoy, Ryan (IWU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Henry Singleton (HSC) def. Dillow, Thad (IWU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Taylor Fox (HSC) def. Cross, Zeke (IWU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Thomas Davis (HSC) def. Hammond, Griffin (IWU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Matt Kendrick (HSC) def. Sibley-Diggs, Jordan (IWU) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Dillon McReynolds/Casey Coffey (HSC) def. Turnbull, Ian/McCoy, Ryan (IWU) 8-6
2. Thomas Davis/Taylor Fox (HSC) def. Vigneri, Ben/Cross, Zeke (IWU) 8-6
3. Tanner Allison/Henry Singleton (HSC) def. Hammond, Griffin/Dillow, Thad (IWU) 8-6

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