Mount Union Match  Rochester Match  Ohio Wesleyan Match

WESTERVILLE, Ohio—The Otterbein University men's tennis team, playing three matches over the weekend, got off to a good start in its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) title defense, defeating the University of Mount Union, 5-4, Saturday in Alliance.
 
The Cardinals followed up with two matches at Ohio Wesleyan University on Sunday, sweeping Rochester College, 9-0, and losing to host Ohio Wesleyan, 6-3.
 
"The OAC season got off to a tough start at Mount Union under very cold and windy conditions," said Otterbein head coach Mark Anderson. "Mount Union came out very strong and led 2-1 after doubles. But, our guys weren't to be denied as they played smart and solidly in singles."
 
Will Willson and David Seckel fought to an 8-6 decision at first doubles, and the Cardinals followed with wins at first, third, fifth, and sixth singles to pull out the victory.
 
Willson won both of his matches against the Purple Raiders, taking No. 1 singles by a score of 6-4 and 6-1. Kendall Coffman won third singles, 6-4, 6-2. Zach McDivitt, a 6-2, 7-5 winner at No. 5 singles, and Sam Lawless, a 6-4, 6-2 winner at No. 6, scored the other two points for Otterbein.
 
Rochester proved no match for the Cardinals on Sunday as Otterbein swept all nine matches despite the absence of Willson, who was nursing an injury and sat the match out to rest.
 
Against Ohio Wesleyan, The Cardinals took first and second doubles, and third singles. Seckel and Willson won No. 1 doubles, 8-5, and McDivitt and Perry Williams took No. 2, 8-2. Coffman won No. 3 singles, 6-3, 6-2.
 
The Cardinals are scheduled to return to OAC action this Wednesday at crosstown-rival Capital University. The match is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.
 
"Things won't get any easier as we head into our match with Capital this Wednesday," Anderson said.