by Andres Gonzalez

MCKINNEY, Texas – The Texas Wesleyan Men's Tennis team competed at the 2021 invitational tournament over the weekend. The women's and men's tennis team dueled against tough competition, producing outstanding results against high ranking NCAA DII and DIII and community colleges.
 
Andres Gonzalez won Men's Flight 3 singles, while Jose Merino won the Men's Flight 5 singles.
 
"I think this team has more potential than last year's conference championship team." commented coach Steve Foster. "The level of play was intense, playing NCAA Division two teams and two top 10 ranked junior college teams. We were pleased with what we saw.
 
"We have a lot of young talent with huge potential and returning veterans with great experience," said student assistant coach Eric Gurtner . "The future of this team looks incredibly promising as long as we continue to put the work in."
 
The Rams will play host to East Texas Baptist University the Saturday at Arlington Tennis Center starting at 1 p.m.
 
Comments from the team
 
Jose Merino: "I was able to leave anger and anxiety behind and start to play well. After the second match I had more confidence in my strokes and started to put some pressure in my game. Felt great to win the tournament in my draw because I haven't played a tournament in a long time."
 
Cristian Perez: "It was a great tournament, after not playing last semester It felt great coming back to competition, and I'm looking forward to what's next for TXWES."
 
Andres Gonzalez: "After having a terrible summer season, I am very happy about winning the tournament. I am grateful for the coaches and teammates' support. I feel more confident with my game and I am looking forward to what is coming."
 
Thibault Gasser: "I played well in my first two singles matches, winning in two straight sets against utr 9.5 and 10.5 and my wins with Jose Merino in doubles. I lost the single final against a very good player ranked utr 11 with one match-point. A bit of disappointment there, but very happy about our level overall in singles. The boys played at a high level and that very satisfying. Big matches are coming up, and all the teams saw how ready we are for the season! We want to win the conference like last year and earn a second ring for the school. LET 'S GO RAMS."
 
Lucas Diaz Freire: "It's an honor to be back on the courts wearing the Rams jersey. It has been a long time since my last tournament and this one has helped me to get back into the rhythm for the upcoming season. I enjoyed experiencing the pressure of a tough tournament and I am very happy with the results, reaching the final in both singles and doubles. I hope we all continue to compete at this great level."
 
Juan Felipe Parra: "I felt pretty confident in all my matches even though it was a very demanding tournament. I'm grateful to my team and coaches for leading me to these victories. Not only in singles but in doubles as well. I'm looking forward to continuing this great process with all my teammates."
 
Pablo Olmedo: "After coming back from injury, in the first match I couldn't play at my 100% but overall I think I had a good tournament, in doubles with Mathieu Vinet, we had an amazing tournament in the Draw 1. We didn't have many problems with our matches, winning the final 8-3. We have an incredible energy as a team and I'm looking forward to ranking as the top doubles pair in the nation."
 
Texas Wesleyan Results – Men
 
Flight #1 Singles
Quarterfinals
John Edwards (UTD) def. Pablo Olmedo – 6-1; 6-4
 
Flight#1 Singles – Consolation Bracket
Semifinal
Pablo Olmedo def. Joao Credie (USW) - 6-2; 6-0
 
Final
Emil Mikkelsen (JC) def. Pablo Olmedo - 6-1; 7-5
 
Flight#1 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Olmedo/ Vinet def. Mackenzie/ Chassaignac (DBU) - 8-5
 
Semifinals
Olmedo/ Vinet def. Au Yeung/ Edwards (UTD) - 8-3
 
Finals
Olmedo/ Vinet def. Cilliers/ Mikkelsen (JC) - 8-3
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Flight#2 Singles
Quarterfinals
Mathieu Vinet def. David Pérez de la Fuente (JC) - 6-1;6-2
 
Semifinals
Gabe Garrido (DBU) def. Mathieu Vinet - 4-6; 7-6(4); 10-7
 
Third place
Mathieu Vinet def. Bradley Neil (DBU) - 6-1; 6-1
 
Flight#2 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Gonzalez/ Perez def. Lanier/Trenkle (USW) – 8-5
 
Semifinals
Capone/ Carvajalino (DBU) def. Gonzalez/ Perez - 8-6
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Flight#3 Singles
Quarterfinals
Cristian Pérez def. Ricardo Carvajalino (DBU) - 6-0; 7-6(3).
Andres González def. Juan Agudelo (JC) 6-1; 6-2
 
Semifinals
Cristian Pérez def. Tristan Vigneron (CCCC) - 6-7(7); 6-2; 10-6
Andres Gonzalez def. Carlos de León (UTD) - 6-1; 6-3
 
Finals
Andres Gonzalez def. Cristian Pérez - 6-4; 7-6(18)
 
Flight #3 Doubles
Quarterfinals
Gasser/Merino def. Hill/Skarya (UTD) - 8-4
Parra/Freire def. Loayza/ Ramirez (DBU) - 8-4
 
Semifinals
Gasser/ Merino def. Christensen/ Malcomb (JC) - 8-3
Parra/Freire def. Guarnieri/ Klechner (CCCC) - 8-4
 
Finals
Parra/Freire tied. Gasser/Merino
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Flight#4 Singles
Quarterfinals
Ryan Christensen (JC) def. Ian Carvajal - 6-1; 6-3
Thibault Gasser def. Dorde Kurcubic (CCCC) - 7-5; 6-2
 
Semifinals
Thibault Gasser def. Ryan Christensen (JC) - 6-1; 7-6(3)
 
Finals
Wilco Calliers (JC) def. Thibault Gasser - 6-2; 6-7(6); 10-8
 
Consolation bracket Flight #4
Dorde Kurcubic (CCCC) def. Ian Carvajal 0-6; 1-6
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Flight #5 Singles
Quarterfinals
Jose Merino def. Simon Ramirez (USW) - 6-1; 6-4
 
Semifinals
Jose Merino def. Nick Boquet (UTD) 3-6; 7-5; 10-8
 
Finals
Jose Merino def. Jackson Fenton (CCCC) 6-0; 7-5
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Flight #6 Singles
Quarterfinals
Felipe Parra def. Oliver Whitakker (DBU) 6-1; 6-1
Lucas Diaz Freire def. Noah Sam (UTD) 6-2; 6-4
 
Semifinals
Felipe Parra def. Marcus Klechner (CCCC) - 6-3; 6-1
Lucas Diaz Freire def. Julian Loayza (USW) 6-1; 6-0
 
Finals
Felipe Parra def. Lucas Diaz Freire 7-5; 6-4
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