MADISON, Wis. – From Feb. 21–23, 2025, Bowling Green State University Club Tennis sent its A team to compete in the USTA Midwest Sectional Championships.
The team consisted of
Caitlyn Schankula,
Maru Poppe,
Victoria Sidoti,
Braden Tucker,
Caleb Bundy,
Carson Weigle,
Jacob Rabenhorst, and
Joey Vanderhorst.
BGSU first competed in pool play against Notre Dame, Michigan Technological University, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, finishing with a 1-2 record and advancing to the silver bracket.
In the first round of bracket play, BGSU faced Oakland University, winning 30-12 after victories in women's doubles, men's doubles, women's singles, men's singles, and mixed doubles.
The next matchup was against the University of Cincinnati. Women's doubles and singles each won 6-3, while men's doubles and singles lost in close matches. The mixed doubles team of
Maru Poppe and
Jacob Rabenhorst secured a victory, leading BGSU to a 28-19 win.
In the semifinals, BGSU faced DePaul University. Women's doubles, men's doubles, women's singles, and men's singles all lost in tight matches, putting the team down 16-24 heading into mixed doubles. Poppe and Rabenhorst, determined to close the gap, delivered a clutch win, securing a 26-25 victory and advancing BGSU to the silver bracket finals for the first time in school history.
In the final match on Sunday, Feb. 23, BGSU took on Grand Valley State University. Women's doubles lost 3-6, while men's doubles won 6-4. Women's singles claimed a 6-3 victory, but men's singles fell 5-6. A 4-6 loss in mixed doubles resulted in a narrow 24-25 defeat against GVSU.
The weekend was filled with tough competition, standout performances, and plenty of fun for the entire team.