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Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Observer

Notre Dame cruises to season-opening sweep

Notre Dame started its spring season strong Saturday, defeating Michigan State, 6-1, and Detroit, 7-0, at Eck Tennis Pavilion.

The Irish (2-0) started quickly against the Spartans (2-1), as the first two Irish doubles duos cruised to easy victories against Michigan State’s pairs by 6-1, 6-2 scores. Senior Eric Schnurrenberger added to the Irish lead by starting singles play with a decisive 6-3, 6-2 win over Spartans sophomore Jasper Koenen at No. 5 singles, before Irish junior Josh Hagar won in the No. 4 flight, defeating Michigan State freshman Billy Shisler 6-4, 6-0. Irish senior Alex Lawson clinched the victory by defeating Spartans sophomore Michael Dube 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Adding to the Irish total, senior Kenneth Sabacinski defeated Spartans sophomore Ivan Rakic, and Irish senior Quentin Monaghan defeated fellow senior John Patrick Mullane in the No. 1 singles match, 6-4, 6-4, to close out a decisive Irish victory.

Irish senior Quentin Monaghan attempts a forehand during Notre Dame’s 4-3 win over North Carolina State on April 18 at Courtney Tennis Center. Monaghan won his only singles match Saturday.
Irish senior Quentin Monaghan attempts a forehand during Notre Dame’s 4-3 win over North Carolina State on April 18 at Courtney Tennis Center. Monaghan won his only singles match Saturday.
Irish senior Quentin Monaghan attempts a forehand during Notre Dame’s 4-3 win over North Carolina State on April 18 at Courtney Tennis Center. Monaghan won his only singles match Saturday.


Notre Dame continued its dominance in the second match against Detroit (0-1), as several young players stepped up to claim victories for the Irish. The Irish claimed the doubles point in three flights before going on to dominate in the singles matches. Senior Nicolas Montoya did not drop a game in defeating Titans freshman Adam Zychowicz 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 6 match, while Irish freshman Daniel Rayl won at No. 5, defeating freshman Nicholas Solarewicz 6-0, 6-3. Sabacinski grabbed his second win of the day to defeat Titans senior Rafael Orantes 6-2, 6-2, at No. 3, securing the win for Notre Dame.

With the match already clinched, Notre Dame freshman Grayson Broadus defeated Detroit sophomore Nathan Ponton 6-1, 6-3, at No. 2, while Irish junior Eddy Covalschi bounced back from his loss against Michigan State, defeating Titans junior Patryk Koscielski 7-6(8), 6-3 at the top flight. Irish sophomore Brendon Kempin completed the sweep, defeating Detroit junior Kacper Stelmaszak 4-6, 7-6(4), 10-2 at No. 4 singles.

Next up for the Irish is the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Champaign, Illinois, this Friday and Saturday.