MacTaggart, Gruter claim titles, lead Hoosier opening

It might be early, but the IU men’s tennis team is already winning championships.

Freshman Josh MacTaggart and junior Santiago Gruter both claimed titles this weekend at the Hoosier Invitational, the first tournament of the fall season.

MacTaggart, a native of the U.K., knocked off teammate and fellow freshman Isade Juneau 6-4, 6-3 in the championship of the Hoosier flight. 

MacTaggart was never really tested in the tournament as he won each of his four matches in straight sets. In fact, Juneau was the only player to win more than two games in a set against him.

“It feels good,” MacTaggart said. “It was quite hard to play a teammate in the championship, especially Isade.”

IU coach Randy Bloemendaal said MacTaggart raised his level of play in the tournament.

“Josh surprised me with what he can do and what he can’t do on the court,” Bloemendaal said. “I think it’s a good thing.”

Gruter, unlike MacTaggart, has played in big matches before. The Lima, Peru, native has been working with the coaching staff to improve his on-court attitude.
It appears to be working.

After dropping a back-and-forth first set to Xavier’s Bobby Deye, Gruter refocused and took control of the match. He won the last two sets 6-1, 6-2 and took the championship in the IU flight.   

“I was just trying to stay positive, stay focused,” Gruter said. “Then I realized that my opponent (Deye) was getting a little tired, so I knew I had the physical battle won. I just tried to move him around as much as I could.”

“We’re working on some things with Santi about how to compete, and he really came through,” Bloemendaal said. “This is a tremendous way for him to boost his confidence up.”

The Hoosiers will travel to Charlottesville, Va., this weekend for the UVA Ranked Plus One tournament.