For most, Spring Break serves as a time to travel and take it easy. Although the men's tennis team took a trip to Orlando, they made sure taking it easy was not on their list of things to do. With three impressive victories, the team improved their record to 5-1. The team is currently ranked No. 29 in Division III play and is well on their way to proving themselves as a team to be reckoned with as the season progresses.
The team's week began with an absolutely dominating performance in the sunshine state on March 10, scoring a 9-0 victory against Wabash College. Each player showed improvement in his game, especially Junior co-captain Jeremy Eckardt, who won his singles match against Jay Horrey 6-1, 6-1. Eckardt also won his doubles match with freshman partner Stewart Fernandez against Wabash's duo of Horrey and Sean Clerget 8-3. The win improved Eckardt's career record to 77-30.
Sophomore co-captain Jonathan Yu won his match against Zach Lowry 6-2, 6-4. Yu also won his doubles match with rookie partner Steve Fernandez by a score of 8-2. The freshman duo of Dan Lee and Edgar Shanoyan also recorded victories against Wabash's Evan Bayless and Peter Gunderman respectively.
The Lions couldn't enjoy the thrill of victory for too long, as the very next day the College had another match against Christopher Newport University. Fatigue was not an issue though as the College won 6-3 improving their record to 4-1. Although the victory did not come as easily as the day before, the team showed grit and perseverance throughout the match.
Yu won his singles match against Dusty Nelson by a score of 6-4, 6-4. Yu also played well in his doubles match with teammate Steve Fernandez as they beat CNU's tandem of Lorenzo Sison and Thomas Whaling 8-6. The College's Shanoyan, Lee and Steve Fernandez also prevailed in their singles matches. Lions' freshman Bill Carrig teamed with Lee for a victory in doubles 8-5. Eckardt and Stewart Fernandez showed exhaustion from the day before as both fell in their singles match.
The third and final match on the trip came against Vassar on March 12. The Lions wrapped up their trip with a flashy 8-1 victory. It was the College's fifth win in their last six matches. The College is currently ranked No. 10 regionally after the victory.
Eckardt got back on track with a victory in his singles match against Vassar's Mike Mattelson 7-6, 6-4. Yu and Steve Fernandez contributed the victory with both winning their singles matches, both in two sets. Stewart Fernandez continued to play poorly with a loss in singles to Vassar's Max Willner 6-2, 6-2.
The College showed its muscle in doubles' competition with three impressive victories. Teammates Eckardt and Stewart Fernandez won their match 8-3 against Vassar's Mike Mattelson and Greg Katz. Yu and Steve Fernandez defeated Max Willner and Pete Ludlow 8-6. The third doubles match pitted Lee and Carrig against Vassar's Jeremy Rosen and Joshua Jasso, and the Lions pulled out the win 8-5.
The rookie Shanoyan continued to raise eyebrows with another victory in singles competition against Jeremy Rosen 6-1, 6-4. The win improved Shanoyan's career record to 6-0 for the Lions as the young stud keeps rolling.
