The Yellow Jacket men’s tennis team scored its first win of the year Monday, 7-2 over Shawnee State of Portsmouth, Ohio.
The Yellow Jackets saw doubles wins at #2 doubles with Noah Fulks and Dylan Jayasuriya winning 8-0, and Ethan Cross and Baylee VanKirk winning 8-2 at #3 doubles. Caleb Starkey and Adam Walters lost a hard fought match at #1 doubles 8-5.u
In singles action the Yellow Jackets had five singles courts wins, with Caleb Starkey winning 6-1, 6-0 at #1 singles, Noah Fulks winning 6-0, 6-1 at #2 singles, Dylan Jayasuriya winning 6-1, 6-2 at #4 singles, Adam Walters scoring his first college singles win 6-2, 6-2 at #5 singles, and Baylee VanKirk winning his first college singles match 8-3 at #6 singles. Ethan Cross would lose a hard fought three set match at #3 singles 6-4, 4-6, 10-8. Austin Gessel would add an exhibition win as well for the Yellow Jackets.
Monday’s win comes after two days of back-to-back matches, a a 7-2 loss to Shepherd and a 9-0 loss to Bluefield College. Against Shepherd Jayasuriya and Jake Stanley scored a 8-6 win at #2 doubles, and Jayasuriya won 6-4, 7-5 at #4 singles.
“It felt good to go out and get a good team win after some tough matches recently,” said senior Baylee VanKirk. “Overall a great day for State tennis.
The Yellow Jackets play Thursday at Southern Virginia, and Friday at Virginia State.
