Chase Tomecki celebrates a point during a super tiebreaker Feb. 7, 2025

Meredith Mahoney

Men’s Tennis Sinks Vikings in Home Opener

Titans secure first win of the season in sweeping fashion

2/7/2025 10:45:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Playing its first match at home of the 2024-25 season, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's tennis team swept Lawrence University, 7-0, to secure its first win of the season. The Titans improve to 1-3 overall, while the Vikings dip to 2-3.

Illinois Wesleyan took quick command of the match, claiming all three doubles contests. Juniors Ian Turnbull (Bloomington, Ill.-Bloomington) and Ben Vigneri (Casper, Wyo.-Phillips Exeter Academy) secured a 6-2 victory in the top spot, defeating LU's Andrew Larson and Dylan Delgado. Fifth-year Ryan McCoy (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Rolling Meadows) and sophomore Thad Dillow (Effingham, Ill.-Effingham) teammed up for a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles, downing Benjamin Hoppe and Gabriel Garcia. The pair of junior Griffin Hammond (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township) and sophomore Chase Tomecki (Downers Grove, Ill.-Downers Grove South) completed the trifecta with a 6-2 decision over Owen Horton and Xander Priest in the No. 3 spot.

All six continued their solid home debuts into individual action. Turnbull locked in the No. 1 singles win, taking his sets 7-6(4) and 6-1. At No. 2, Vigneri coasted to the win with scores of 6-2, 6-0, while McCoy claimed a win at No. 3 singles via set scores of 6-1, 6-2. Dillow notched the win at No. 4 singles, winning his sets 6-4, 6-2, and Hammond continued his strong showing in 2025 with a 6-2, 6-0, victory in the No. 5 singles slot. At No. 6 singles, Tomecki closed out the contest with the closest battle of the night. After taking the first set, 6-1, Tomecki fell 6-2, forcing a decisive super tiebreaker, where he rolled to a 10-4 win.

Illinois Wesleyan remains home and will return to the courts Saturday, Feb. 15 to take on Webster University. First serve is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Evergreen Racquet Club.

Singles competition
1. Turnbull, Ian (IWU) def. Andrew Larson (LU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
2. Vigneri, Ben (IWU) def. Dylan Delgado (LU) 6-2, 6-0
3. McCoy, Ryan (IWU) def. Benjamin Hoppe (LU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Dillow, Thad (IWU) def. Gabriel Garcia (LU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Hammond, Griffin (IWU) def. Owen Horton (LU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Tomecki, Chase (IWU) def. Cole Witucki (LU) 6-1, 2-6, 1-0 (10-4)

Doubles competition
1. Turnbull, Ian/Vigneri, Ben (IWU) def. Andrew Larson/Dylan Delgado (LU) 6-2
2. McCoy, Ryan/Dillow, Thad (IWU) def. Benjamin Hoppe/Gabriel Garcia (LU) 6-1
3. Hammond, Griffin/Tomecki, Chase (IWU) def. Owen Horton/Xander Priest (LU) 6-2

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