Kalamazoo, Michigan – In the second match of this weekend's double header, the Oberlin College men's tennis team clashed with Kalamazoo, bringing the fight to the Hornets on their home turf. Though they fared better than the year before, the Yeomen lost 4-3 in the dual match. The team's record is 5-3 for the 2026 season.
Despite their quick hands at the net,
Enrique Margain and
Cameron Weiss were not able to get the win at No. 1 doubles, losing 6-2. The senior pair,
Shawn Lisann and
Sebastien Naginski, pulled another victory (6-2) at No. 2 doubles. Junior
Zain Makada and first-year
Dash Smith showed some great teamwork and coordination, but they could not secure the doubles point and lost at No. 3 doubles 6-4.
Down 1-0, the Yeomen buckled down for singles. It took some time for the momentum to go in Oberlin's favor. Taking on an excellent opponent in Cameron Crosby, Lisann struggled to match the Hornets' attacks at the net, and fell 6-0, 6-2 on the top court.
At No. 3, thirty minutes later, Makada calmly collected the first point for the Yeomen in a tough matchup, winning 6-4, 6-3. The victory is a good showcase of Makada's exceptional singles talent in what's been a tough early season for the player.
Margain followed this victory with one of his own at No. 4, ending the back-and-forth with his opponent in a decisive 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 win. Smith found himself in a similar situation at No. 2, but could not claim victory at the end of his lengthy match, losing 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
Tailing the Hornets 3-2, any chance of a victory relied on the No. 5 and 6, Weiss and Naginski. After splitting sets, Weiss found himself down 4-0 in the third set and came back to 5-4, just one game behind. Though he battled with heart, soul, and a ton of yelling, Weiss was not able to come out victorious. The No. 5 lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Even with the dual match already decided, Naginski showed an unbroken calm that can't be taught anywhere, winning a close tiebreaker in the first set, 7-6 (12-10) and finishing off his opponent in the second set 6-1 in the No. 6 spot.
The Crimson and Gold will be back for more on Sunday, March 15. They will be playing at University Heights, Ohio versus John Carroll. The estimated start of play is 2 p.m.
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