Grace Tennis Teams Ready For Another Strong Season
August 30, 2022 at 11:50 p.m.
Grace Tennis Teams Ready For Another Strong Season
By Grace College Sports Information-
Over the past two seasons, the Lancers have racked up an impressive 18 wins against conference opponents during the regular season and postseason tournaments. Grace advanced to the conference tournament final both years, ending last year receiving votes in the final NAIA Top 25 poll.
Coach Andy Lewis’s squad returns nine members from a year ago with four newcomers joining the ranks. This year’s team is led by an experienced group of upperclassmen, consisting of four seniors and three juniors.
“If we stay healthy and play together as a team, we are going to be hard to beat,” said Lewis. “We ended the spring on a high note and are excited for the fall.”
With the departure of stalwarts Max Rozas and Fabricio Galvan, the Lancers will look to captains David Sandi and Ivan Antinori to set the tone. Veteran all-league performer Ramiro Candia, Facundo Paredes, Francisco Margaria and company will help solidify the singles lineup.
The senior class, in addition to workhorses Sandi, Candia and Margaria, includes Kye Barrett, who has posted a 14-0 record at No. 6 singles and a 9-0 record in doubles play during his career. Sandi, with a 35-32 career record, has been a staple at No. 2 singles in the lineup. Candia, an all-league honoree in 2020-21, leads the group with 73 career wins, holding down No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles a year ago.
Juniors include Antinori, Nicolas Doria and Javier Gallego. After sitting out the entirety of last year, transfer Gallego will make his much-anticipated Lancer debut after an impressive freshman season at No.1 singles for Goshen College in 2020-21. Doria, 15-14 overall, made an impact holding serve at No. 5 singles. Antinori has been a doubles’ specialist his first two seasons on campus, boasting a 32-13 record in that time.
"I believe doubles play is an area we will excel in this year," said Lewis. "We made great strides during the spring season. We made some adjustments and found good chemistry and consistency to close out the year. Finding the right combinations with our pairings early on will be key as we move through the conference schedule."
A pair of sophomores will figure into the mix. Paredes went 11-5 in singles and 11-7 in doubles play. Pablo Gregori adds depth after breaking into the rotation during the spring season.
Four incoming freshmen are primed to reload the Lancers’ lineup. Artur Pons comes to Winona Lake from Alberic, Spain, and Cesar Garcia hails from Maturin, Venezuela. Joining them is Landon Gibson from Evansville, Ind., and Gabe Jarvis from Zeeland, Mich.
The season opens up at home on Sept. 3 with a Crossroads League doubleheader at the Don Cramer Tennis Courts.
The first match of the season is a marquee matchup and rematch of the Crossroads League tournament finals against Indiana Wesleyan. Grace will host a second doubleheader on Sept. 7 before battling in the league tournament starting Sept. 20.
“I look forward to seeing what these young men can accomplish this season,” added Lewis. “We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Women’s Tennis begins year one with Ackerman
WINONA LAKE – A new era for Grace women’s tennis begins in 2022-23. Former Lady Lancer standout Emily Ackerman (Mast) will take the reins and lead the program as head coach after shedding the interim title following the spring season.
“I am eager and optimistic for the upcoming season. This being my first season as head coach, I have high expectations and a lot of excitement for all that is to come,” said Ackerman.
The Lady Lancers will feature six returners from a year ago with the addition of a pair of sophomore newcomers.
Three seniors will bolster the lineup for Grace. Lauryn Riegsecker made her mark at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles, tallying a 35-24 overall record in three seasons. Kiersten Martin performed well at No. 6 singles with a 7-3 record last year. Gretchen Adams rounds out the senior class after posting a 25-13 doubles record during her career.
A pair of returning sophomores each made an impact in their rookie season at Grace. Lydia Ruegsegger led the charge at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, going 11-11 on the year.
The junior class includes All-League honoree Anna Graves, who played at No. 2 singles and doubles a year ago. Addy Jarvis also earned time at No. 6 singles.
“One area of focus this year will be doubles’ matches,” said Ackerman. “We have a strong, skilled team which will allow us to find the right combinations and be strategic with our pairings based on our opponents.”
Jimena Ramirez, an NJCAA All-American, joins the team after a stellar freshman campaign at Seward County Community College; she helped lead the Saints to a third-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. Fellow newcomer, Hallie Mast, adds depth following a career at Westview High School in Topeka, Indiana.
“Our lineup is very deep this year and I expect us to win a lot of matches because of this,” added Ackerman. “I believe our group of ladies will flourish due to the hard work they have put in during the offseason.”
The season opens at home on Sept. 3 with a Crossroads League doubleheader at the Don Cramer Tennis Courts. The Lady Lancers play a pair of league matches at home on Sept. 7 with the Crossroads League Tournament set to begin on Sept. 20.
"We have a united group that is consistent and mentally tough,” commented Ackerman. “They love the Lord, each other and the game of tennis.”
Over the past two seasons, the Lancers have racked up an impressive 18 wins against conference opponents during the regular season and postseason tournaments. Grace advanced to the conference tournament final both years, ending last year receiving votes in the final NAIA Top 25 poll.
Coach Andy Lewis’s squad returns nine members from a year ago with four newcomers joining the ranks. This year’s team is led by an experienced group of upperclassmen, consisting of four seniors and three juniors.
“If we stay healthy and play together as a team, we are going to be hard to beat,” said Lewis. “We ended the spring on a high note and are excited for the fall.”
With the departure of stalwarts Max Rozas and Fabricio Galvan, the Lancers will look to captains David Sandi and Ivan Antinori to set the tone. Veteran all-league performer Ramiro Candia, Facundo Paredes, Francisco Margaria and company will help solidify the singles lineup.
The senior class, in addition to workhorses Sandi, Candia and Margaria, includes Kye Barrett, who has posted a 14-0 record at No. 6 singles and a 9-0 record in doubles play during his career. Sandi, with a 35-32 career record, has been a staple at No. 2 singles in the lineup. Candia, an all-league honoree in 2020-21, leads the group with 73 career wins, holding down No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles a year ago.
Juniors include Antinori, Nicolas Doria and Javier Gallego. After sitting out the entirety of last year, transfer Gallego will make his much-anticipated Lancer debut after an impressive freshman season at No.1 singles for Goshen College in 2020-21. Doria, 15-14 overall, made an impact holding serve at No. 5 singles. Antinori has been a doubles’ specialist his first two seasons on campus, boasting a 32-13 record in that time.
"I believe doubles play is an area we will excel in this year," said Lewis. "We made great strides during the spring season. We made some adjustments and found good chemistry and consistency to close out the year. Finding the right combinations with our pairings early on will be key as we move through the conference schedule."
A pair of sophomores will figure into the mix. Paredes went 11-5 in singles and 11-7 in doubles play. Pablo Gregori adds depth after breaking into the rotation during the spring season.
Four incoming freshmen are primed to reload the Lancers’ lineup. Artur Pons comes to Winona Lake from Alberic, Spain, and Cesar Garcia hails from Maturin, Venezuela. Joining them is Landon Gibson from Evansville, Ind., and Gabe Jarvis from Zeeland, Mich.
The season opens up at home on Sept. 3 with a Crossroads League doubleheader at the Don Cramer Tennis Courts.
The first match of the season is a marquee matchup and rematch of the Crossroads League tournament finals against Indiana Wesleyan. Grace will host a second doubleheader on Sept. 7 before battling in the league tournament starting Sept. 20.
“I look forward to seeing what these young men can accomplish this season,” added Lewis. “We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Women’s Tennis begins year one with Ackerman
WINONA LAKE – A new era for Grace women’s tennis begins in 2022-23. Former Lady Lancer standout Emily Ackerman (Mast) will take the reins and lead the program as head coach after shedding the interim title following the spring season.
“I am eager and optimistic for the upcoming season. This being my first season as head coach, I have high expectations and a lot of excitement for all that is to come,” said Ackerman.
The Lady Lancers will feature six returners from a year ago with the addition of a pair of sophomore newcomers.
Three seniors will bolster the lineup for Grace. Lauryn Riegsecker made her mark at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles, tallying a 35-24 overall record in three seasons. Kiersten Martin performed well at No. 6 singles with a 7-3 record last year. Gretchen Adams rounds out the senior class after posting a 25-13 doubles record during her career.
A pair of returning sophomores each made an impact in their rookie season at Grace. Lydia Ruegsegger led the charge at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, going 11-11 on the year.
The junior class includes All-League honoree Anna Graves, who played at No. 2 singles and doubles a year ago. Addy Jarvis also earned time at No. 6 singles.
“One area of focus this year will be doubles’ matches,” said Ackerman. “We have a strong, skilled team which will allow us to find the right combinations and be strategic with our pairings based on our opponents.”
Jimena Ramirez, an NJCAA All-American, joins the team after a stellar freshman campaign at Seward County Community College; she helped lead the Saints to a third-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. Fellow newcomer, Hallie Mast, adds depth following a career at Westview High School in Topeka, Indiana.
“Our lineup is very deep this year and I expect us to win a lot of matches because of this,” added Ackerman. “I believe our group of ladies will flourish due to the hard work they have put in during the offseason.”
The season opens at home on Sept. 3 with a Crossroads League doubleheader at the Don Cramer Tennis Courts. The Lady Lancers play a pair of league matches at home on Sept. 7 with the Crossroads League Tournament set to begin on Sept. 20.
"We have a united group that is consistent and mentally tough,” commented Ackerman. “They love the Lord, each other and the game of tennis.”
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