Strong weekend for XU tennis

The Xavier men's and women's tennis teams traveled in different directions this past weekend but came home with similar results.

The women's team picked up two victories in Pittsburgh. while the men's team went 1-1 in Illinois.

The victories improve the women's record to 6-3 on the season while the men now sit at 2-6.

The women's team matched up with Duquesne University on Friday afternoon.

The Musketeers handily defeated the Dukes, notching a 6-1 victory over their Atlantic 10 foe in the conference opener.

Junior Katie Pleiman posted a singles No. 1 victory and also won the doubles No. 1 match alongside junior Kally Alkire.

Freshman Daniella Patton and sophomore Andrea Wolf both cruised in their No. 2 and No. 3 singles matches, respectively.

The women returned to the courts on Saturday to face George Washington University.

Xavier was able to pick up another win in a close match, defeating the Colonials 4-3.

The win marked the Musketeers' fourth straight victory and moved them into first place in the conference at 2-0.Despite falling behind in doubles play, the Musketeers rallied and won the match overall.

Pleiman claimed victory in the No. 1 singles while Wolf and sophomore Allyson Westling bested their opponents in three sets each.

Alkire sealed the win for Xavier by defeating her opponent in the last match of the day.

The men's team traveled to Illinois to match up with Illinois State University.

Despite winning the doubles point, the Musketeers lost in a close 4-3 match.

Sophomores Jimmy Roebker and Mesa Mei scored an 8-3 victory in the No. 1 doubles match.

Seniors Richard Canelas and Marc Pretorius notched a No. 3 doubles victory to help the Musketeers pick up the doubles point.

In the singles matches, freshman Michael Moe and Pretorius were able to best the Redbirds' No. 5 and No. 6 singles players, respectively.

On Saturday the men continued their Illinois road trip with a battle against Bradley University.

The Musketeers were on the victorious side of another 4-3 match.

For the second time in as many days, Xavier was able to claim the crucial doubles point.

Roebker won the No. 1 singles match and junior Brandon MacDonald defeated the Braves' No. 4. Pretorious was able to seal the victory with his three-set win.

Both teams return to the courts this week.

The men travel to Indianapolis to face off against Butler University tonight.

The women's team will be looking for their fifth straight win as they visit Eastern Kentucky University on Friday.