In a riveting doubleheader at the Hanscom Tennis Courts, the Creighton men’s and women’s tennis teams went head-to-head with formidable opponents, creating a spectacle of skill and determination. The women’s team navigated challenges in their season opener against Wichita State, engaging in an intense battle that unfolded with the ebb and flow of each set. On the flip side, the men’s team took center stage, showcasing their proficiency with a triumphant victory over the Air Force Academy.
The women’s tennis team kicked off their 2024 season with an eagerly awaited match.Despite a valiant effort, the Bluejaysfound themselves on the losing end, concluding the match with a 5-2 score.
“We knew coming in [that] Wichita State always has a good program,” Women’s Tennis head coach, Tom Lilly said. “We knew it was going to be a heck of a challenge for us, but one that we wanted, especially early in the season. The girls want to win when we’re in these matches. I think we need to get more competitive in practice and just work conditioning into our practices a little more.”
Amidst the challenges, senior Malvika Shukla’s individual performance stole the spotlight. In a thrilling three-set duel against Wichita State’s freshman Xin Tong Wang, Shukla secured her 100th career win. The comeback victory, with a score line of 4-6, 6-4, 11-9,highlighted Shukla’s seasoned patience and unwavering grit on the tennis court.
“It’s a great start to the season,” Shukla said. “I’m so glad my team was out there cheering for me. I was a match point down, and I fought that match point, then I converted the win. Itmeansa lot to play for Creighton tennis, and it means a lot to have the girls supporting me no matter what.”
“She is like that,” Lilly said. “She’ll never give up in a match. She’s got a very explosive game. She’s just been a really special player for us for the past 3 and a half years, and I would expect nothing less than what she gave us today moving forward.”
In a striking departure from the women’s match, the men’s tennis team seized the spotlightwith a display of sheer dominance against the Air Force Academy. After a challenging 0-7 loss to the Nebraska Huskers, the team rebounded with a spectacular performance. The Bluejayssecured a convincing 5-2 victory that propelled them to a 2-1 season record.The men wasted no time in asserting their authority, swiftly securing the doubles point with synchronized precision that set an unyielding tone for the remainder of the match.
“An unbelievable start to doubles,” men’s team head coach Gerhard Posch said. “I think we almost finished all 3 doubles at the same time. I never would have thought it would be that lopsided. I’m extremely pleased with the focus that we brought right from the get-go.”
The Jays carried the momentum from the opening matches into singles, where they secured 4 out of the 6 matches to earn a win. Sophomore Kirtan Patel’s 7-6, 7-6 comeback win at No. 2 singles proved pivotal, clinching the overall victoryand serving as a testament to the team’s tenacity.
“I was down 5-2, double break,” Patel said. “I heard two of the boys’ matches were close, and I was like, ‘Okay. One of us has to win to clinch the match.’ So I fired back up and pulled out the win.”
The men’s team will return to Hanscom on Feb. 2 to play against Youngstown, while the women’s next home match will be against Northern Iowa the following day.