John Carroll was aiming for this to be the weekend that it could put a tally into the win column for the 2018-19 season.

The first seven matches of the year featured six NAIA or Division II schools and a nationally ranked Division III opponent. The result was an 0-7 record.

Saturday and Sunday would bring opportunities against Ohio Wesleyan University from the North Coast Athletic Conference and Marietta from the Ohio Athletic Conference.

At the Gordon Field House in Delaware, Ohio, the Blue Streaks had some close calls in a 7-2 loss to host Ohio Wesleyan. 

The Blue Streaks fell behind 3-0 after doubles play, but the singles matches were very competitive with four going the distance. 

Andy Siciliano pulled off a thrilling 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8) win over Ben Stein at #2 singles, while Andrew Triner shrugged off a slow start to down Miller Buckholz 1-6, 7-6 (7-1), 1-0 (10-8) at #4 singles. The matches that went against JCU happened at #5 singles where Ryan Simon came back to beat Doug Moore 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7), and at #6 singles were Alex Riess rallied to knock off Jack Payne, 6-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-6).

Ohio Wesleyan improved to 12-8 with the win.

On Sunday, JCU traveled to Marietta for its OAC opener to begin its quest for a fifth consecutive league title. The quest began with a 9-0 win over the host Marietta Pioneers.

With the win, John Carroll improved to 1-8 overall and 1-0 in the OAC. Marietta slipped to 5-6 overall and 1-1 in the OAC.

The Blue Streaks won the doubles by a combined score of 24-6.

In singles play, David Sinense won the most competitive match - a 6-2 6-3 victory over Shane Spencer at #1 singles. Siciliano (#2), Gustavo Garcia (#3), Triner (#4), Moore (#5) and Payne (#6) won by dropping a total of six games.