Colby Tennis inches closer to playoffs, notching perfect records in matches against Connecticut College for both men and women
The Mules bulldozed through the Connecticut College Camels this past weekend as Colby Women’s Tennis showed everyone just why they were recently ranked No. 26 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Rankings.
In a spectacular display of competition, sportsmanship, and team camaraderie, the Mules swept Connecticut College 9-0 to boast a perfect record, honoring seniors Emilia Callery ’22, Katharine Dougherty ’22, Lindsey Hernandez ’22, Carly Levitz ’22, and Olivia Scordo ’22 on their athletic careers.
Saturday’s match was emblematic of their already-impressive season. The doubles were no exception, with Hernandez and Levitz claiming a decisive 8-0 win at the No. 1 position. In a similar fashion at the No. 3 position, Dougherty and Callery were equally decisive with a perfect 8-0 win.
The Mules’ match was not entirely uncontested as Sam Riordan ’24 and Sydney Landau ’24 won at the No. 2 position in their tenacious, come-from-behind 8-5 win after initially being down 2-5. This win bolstered the Mules’ momentum heading into singles with a 3-0 start.
Each subsequent win added to this momentum, beginning with Levitz’s swift 6-2 and 6-0 victories at the No. one position. Domination was the theme on this rainy Saturday in Waterville, Maine.
Making her second appearance in the Mules’ lineup this year was Callery, who won 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 6 position. Callery’s match was a strong show of composure and patience.
The remaining singles were equally victorious. Hernandez achieved 6-0, 6-3 victories and Dougherty defeated her opponent 6-0, 6-0. Riordan won 6-1, 6-1 as did teammate Landau 6-2, 6-0. Riordan and Landau will continue to play an important role on the team in upcoming years, both on and off the courts.
In role model performances on senior day, Hernandez had a dominant 6-0, 6-3 performance and Dougherty defeated her opponent 6-0, 6-0.
Colby College recognized the indelible mark seniors Callery, Dougherty, Hernandez, Levitz, and Scordo have made on Colby’s tennis program and commended them for the role they played in setting both team and individual records. The journey doesn’t end here, as Colby Women’s Tennis looks to continue their patterns of success against NESCAC rival Bates College on April 16. The team’s success throughout the past weeks heralds a deep playoff run for the Mules, who come in at No. eight in the Northeast.
The Mules hope to remain a formidable force in the NESCAC in the coming years, and the men’s program makes a strong case for why this will be the reality, recently coming in ranked No. 24 in the country, their highest ranking in program history. Their trip out to the West Coast for spring break was a testament to their grit, as they went into matches against both the University of Redlands and the California Institute of Technology as underdogs and emerged as victors.
The men followed in the women’s footsteps, also securing a perfect record with their 9-0 win against Connecticut College later in the day. The Mules have won the last two of their three NESCAC matches, demonstrating strength on both individual and team levels.
Joey Barrett ’24, 2021 Northeast Rookie of the Year, boasts a No. 20 ranking in the Northeast singles rankings while also holding a No. 12 doubles ranking alongside partner Jake Cohen ’25.
Saturday also marked Senior Day for the men, as they celebrated Max Schuermann ’22. Schuermann and his doubles partner Sam Henry ’24 started the match strong with a dominant 8-2 win at the No. two position.
The Mules continued to dominate throughout the afternoon as Barrett and Jake Cohen ’25 came away with an 8-2 win at the No. 1 position. The last of the three doubles matches for Saturday, Jan Wenger ’23 and James Bogdanovic ’25, led the Mules to an impeccable doubles record for the day, finishing the match with an 8-3 win in the No. 3 position.
The Colby men continued their excellent play into singles matches. Sriram Das ’25 made his debut for the Mules, coming away with a thrilling 6-0, 6-0 win at the No. six position. Schuermann won in a similar convincing fashion and displayed sheer dominance in his 6-0, 6-0 wins at the No. four position. The Mules boasted many straight sets wins on Saturday afternoon, including those of Wenger, Barrett, and Cohen. Bogdanovic kept spectators on their toes, ultimately firing a passing shot winner to save a matchpoint and win the match 11-9 at the No. 5 position.
Schuermann will continue to serve as a leader for this team with a bright future ahead and ended the match on a touching note, calling his fellow teammates a “special group of guys” with whom he is excited to work hard.
The men look to make their first NESCAC playoffs appearance this spring season, and their bond as a team alongside their athletic prowess look to serve them well. The men will take on NESCAC rival Bowdoin College on April 14.
Overall, the Colby Tennis Program looks to be making large and important strides, and the College’s recent investment in athletics with the construction of the HAARC appears to be paying off. Stay tuned as the Mules continue their impressive seasons!
~ Anna Do Rosario `25
