LEXINTGON, Ky. – Despite some chilly February weather, the Otterbein tennis program kicked off its spring slate across a full Sunday down at Top Seed Tennis Club vs. host Transylvania.

The Cardinals split a pair of outcomes against the Pioneers, as the women prevailed 7-2 in the finale after the men dropped a 7-2 result to begin the morning session.

MEN'S RECAP:

Transy carried a 2-1 lead after the doubles portion, where Joshua Mammen and Jake Chilcote emerged on the middle line with a dogfight effort of 8-7… prevailing 7-5 in the breaker.

The Pioneers then won five of six singles courts despite a pair of battles atop the board. Mammen became a double-winner in three sets… dominating the first with a shutout, falling in a breaker during the second set, and then escaping a wild 14-12 showdown in extra points.

Max Fickas unfortunately dropped a 7-6 (7-2) slugfest in his first set at the No. 1 spot and then ran out of steam in the second.

WOMEN'S RECAP:

The Cardinals were forced to work out of a 2-1 hole as well, as Erin Storrer and Olivia Eckels captured the lone doubles points with an 8-4 triumph. Lillia Walter and Aubrey McMahon nearly went extra points but rested on the low end of an 8-6 battle.

Otterbein then kicked into gear by taking all six courts in singles, with nobody even needing a third set. Eckels grinded her way to a 6-4, 7-5 workmanlike outcome while Erin Storrer faced a little adversity atop the lineup against Katherine Taylore before picking up steam.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The men's squad will get back into action next weekend on Super Bowl Sunday, making the trip to The College of Wooster for a morning showdown. The women's team will then play the Scots and Carnegie Mellon the following weekend.