The seventh-ranked Washington University men’s tennis team spent the weekend in the Windy City facing off against Luther College and the University of Chicago. The team continued its excellent play with an 8-1 win over the Norse of Luther and a 6-3 victory over the Maroons of Chicago.

The wins continued the momentum gained from a pair of big wins at the Wilson ITA Small College Championships and a third-place finish at the NCAA Division III National Indoor Championships in St. Paul, Minn.

“Everyone was really happy with the way we played at the team nationals, especially after trucking Emory, so we were all excited to keep a high level of energy and get a couple of good wins,” said junior captain Charlie Cutler.

Wash. U. had some trouble against Luther in doubles but rallied to win two of the three matches. The Bears third doubles team, juniors Eric Pollak and Trevis Bowman were defeated 8-6 by the team of Utsab Rijal/Brad Nelson. However, freshman Isaac Stein and sophomore John Watts pulled out a 9-8 (7-3) win at number one doubles and junior Nirmal Choradia and freshman Max Woods also captured a 9-8 (7-2) win at number two doubles after being down 6-1 to give the Bears a 2-1 lead going into singles competition.

“Luther College came out playing really well, but we battled hard, won the clutch points and managed to pull it out in the end,” said Choradia.

Wash. U. put the match away, claiming all six singles matches. Cutler, the 18th ranked singles player in Division III tennis, posted a 6-4, 6-3 win at number one singles while sophomore Danny Levy handled business at second singles with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory; Woods cruised 6-3, 6-2. The bottom half of the lineup also stepped up, as Stein won 6-4, 6-3 win, Bowman cruised through 6-2, 6-1, and co-captain Mark Partridge battled to a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory.

After their 8-1 win on Saturday, the Bears turned their eyes towards their UAA rival Chicago. The Bears played strong doubles, sweeping all three matches.

The Maroons put up more of a fight in singles, handing Wash. U. losses number one, four and six singles. Division III top player John Watts suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Will Zhang, his first loss to a Division III opponent this year, Woods lost 6-3, 6-1, and Choradia lost 6-3, 6-2.

Cutler handed the Bears a huge win at number two singles and Levy overcame cramping to hand the Bears their fifth match with junior Chris Hoeland claiming victory shortly after, ending what had been a wildly energetic and nerve-racking 6-3 win.

“We came out strong in doubles and played a bunch of tough singles matches, really fought hard, got some big wins in the end, and showed some character at the same time. It was a good test for us in the beginning of the season,” said Pollak.

“Chicago is very good. They will continue to get better as well with more dual-match play. We will get a couple practices in this week prior to spring break and then have a much needed rest to rejuvenate our mind and bodies prior to our up-coming outdoor season,” said Head Coach Roger Follmer.

The Bears now look forward to their next match against Graceland University on March 17 at 4:30 p.m. at the Dwight Davis Center in Forest Park.

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