ST. PAUL, Minn. - Despite its playoff hopes being taken away Tuesday in Mankato, the University of Northwestern Men's Tennis team was full of positive vibes in its season finale against Crown College on Thursday. With pregame ceremonies honoring the program's four graduating players (
Ian Barber (Worthington, Minn./Worthington),
Griffen Jarchow (Luverne, Minn./Luverne),
Caleb Jergenson (Livingston, Mont./Park) and
Sam Kettelhut (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View)) and Head Coach
Matt Swigart's 400th-career win, there was a sense of togetherness and closure that surrounded the last hurrah. With every player getting to see action between countable matches and exhibitions, UNW put on a show despite some new lineups, rolling to a 7-0 sweep of the Polars.
All three Northwestern doubles teams saw new pairings, but all three resulted in wins to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Isaac Thomforde (Crookston, Minn./Crookston) and
Carsen Kramer (Faribault, Minn/Faribault) rolled to a 6-0 sweep at No. 2 doubles, while Team Caleb (Swigart and Jergenson) won 6-1. Even with the doubles point already in hand,
Carson Haack (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) and
Jacob Petrick (Omaha, Neb./Elkhorn North) closed out their opponents in the No. 1 match, 6-2.
Jarchow, a senior captain, got the call up to No. 1 singles on his senior day and won 6-1, 6-4. Jergenson, also playing in his final match, went out on top as well with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Zander Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 4, while Thomforde (No. 3) and Swigart (No. 5) each won, 6-1, 6-2.
Sam Majerus (River Falls, Wis./River Falls) moved up to No. 2 singles and had little trouble, winning 6-3, 6-1 to complete the 7-0 sweep to conclude the season.
UNW bids farewell to Barber, Jarchow, Jergenson and Kettelhut, who will all graduate either this spring or next winter, and thanks them for their contributions and memories as Eagles.
