Men's tennis
The Ohio Northern men's tennis team cruised past Heidelberg 9-0 in its 2018-19 Ohio Athletic Conference opener Wednesday afternoon at the University Tennis Courts in Ada.
With the victory, the Polar Bears even their overall record at 6-6 and improve to 1-0 in league action. The Student Princes fall to 0-3 on the season and 0-2 against OAC opposition.
During Wednesday's match, all nine Ohio Northern players recorded at least one win, including two wins each from sophomore Joji Imatomi (Yokohama, Japan/Kamakura Gakuen) and freshmen Noah Elliott(Hilliard/Davidson) and Andrew Cochran (Wooster).
The Polar Bears kicked off the midweek conference matchup sweeping the doubles courts. Elliott and sophomore Vinh Thai (Galloway/St. Charles) claimed an 8-1 decision in the No. 1 slot; Cochran and junior Connor Christian (Gallipolis/Gallia Academy) won 8-2 at No. 2 doubles; and Imatomi and freshman Nate Meadors (Dublin/Jerome) blanked their opponents 8-0 at No. 3 doubles.
In singles action, Elliott and Imatomi led the way with 6-0, 6-0 victories on the No. 1 and No. 5 courts, respectively.
Ohio Northern will return to action next Monday, April 8 when they travel to NAIA foe Concordia (Mich.). Match time is set for 4 p.m.
Women’s tennis
The Ohio Northern women's tennis team rolled past Ohio Athletic Conference foe Heidelberg Wednesday afternoon, sweeping the midweek league match 9-0 at the Heidelberg Tennis Courts in Tiffin.
The Polar Bears improve to 11-3 overall and 2-0 against OAC competition following the victory. Meanwhile, the Student Princes dropped to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in league play.
All six Ohio Northern players competing in Wednesday's match were double-winners.
In doubles play, senior Ashley Ochsenhirt (Birmingham, Ala./Briarwood Christian) and junior Mackenzie Wills(Ada) won 8-1 on the No. 1 court; junior Jordan Dodson (Worthington) and freshman Olivia Schrager(Dayton/Miami Valley) claimed an 8-2 decision in the No. 2 slot; and junior Katie Curry (Oxford/Talawanda) and Kayleigh Cummins (Galena/Big Walnut) completed the sweep with an 8-1 victory at No. 3 doubles.
Ochsenhirt, Curry, and Dodson led the way in singles action, claiming 6-0, 6-0 victories at the No. 1, No. 4, and No. 5 positions, respectively.
Ohio Northern will return to action this weekend with a westward trip to Aurora (Ill.) on Friday. Match time is slated for 3 p.m. CDT (4 p.m. EDT).
