Lesley McCullough
Sports Reporter
Two weekends ago, the Washington University men’s tennis team was 5-4 on the season when they headed east to Illinois for the Wheaton College Invitational, March 23-24. With an impressive showing, the Bears swept the tournament with 7-0, 7-0 and 5-2 wins over Knox College, Augustana College and host Wheaton College, respectively.
Hoping to build on the three-match winning streak, the Bears left for yet another out-of-town competition this past weekend. However, this time they traveled north to Michigan to take on Hope College (8-4) and the eighth-ranked team in Division III, Kalamazoo College (4-5).
On Friday, WU took on Hope College and quickly dominated the Flying Dutchmen. WU swept all six singles matches and only faltered at number one doubles. There were a few close matches, but the Bears were able to pull them all out. Most notably: At No. 1 singles, junior co-captain Mike Feldman easily won the first set 6-1, dropped the second in a tiebreaker, but rallied to pull it out in the third 6-2. No.2 and No.3 singles players, freshman Brian Alvo and sophomore Max Schlather, both won in straight sets. At No. 4 singles, sophomore David Genovese won the first set 7-6 in a tiebreaker only to dominate in the second 6-1. No. 5 and No. 6 singles were both decided in second set tiebreakers. Playing at No. 5, freshman Chee Lee won 6-3, 7-6 (5) and at No. 6, junior co-captain Pat Doyle won 6-4, 7-6 (3). In doubles, No. 2 Doyle-Alvo won easily 8-6 while sophomores Michael Thompson and Jimmy Takeuchi won at No. 3, 8-4.
The Bears’ toughest match of the season thus far followed Friday’s win. WU faced the eighth-ranked traditional tennis powerhouse of Kalamazoo. Clarification as to what “traditional tennis powerhouse” means, exactly: Since 1976 when the NCAA tournament began for Division III tennis, the Hornets of Kalamazoo have captured an unprecedented seven national championships, more than any other D-III tennis program in the country. In addition, they have finished in the top five every year except for two, both times placing ninth. One such ninth-place finish came last year, the Hornets’ lowest ranking since 1979.
The Bears, coming off a win over tenth ranked DePauw University a few weeks ago, believed this year was by far their best chance to capture a long sought-after win over Kalamazoo. Despite looking good on paper, freshman Brian Alvo pointed out that paper can be torn up, just as the Bears were on Saturday when they fell to host Kalamazoo (6-1).
“We were at a huge disadvantage playing them on their courts-they are very strong at home,” said Doyle. “But if we get them away from their courts it’s a completely different match.”
Feldman added, “Everything was in their favor, but we will most likely face them at nationals and we know we can beat them on a neutral site.”
WU gained its lone point of the match when Genovese defeated the 38th nationally-ranked Kent Dolbee, a Kalamazoo sophomore, (6-4, 6-3). According to the Bears, the remainder of the singles matches were much closer than the scores indicated. WU’s Feldman fell to the 16th ranked player in the country, junior Kyle Harding, at No. 1 singles (7-5, 6-1). Alvo played No. 2 singles and fell to junior Jeff Keen, the 36th ranked player nationally, (6-3, 6-4). The doubles teams played very well and almost took the doubles point, but unfortunately No. 3 doubles, manned by Thompson-Takeuchi, lost the eight-game pro set 9-8 in a tiebreaker 7-5. No. 2 doubles Doyle-Alvo stayed a perfect 10-0 on the season with their 8-3 win.
“We just need to focus harder, and turn up our game a notch,” said Alvo. “Hopefully, we will see them in the postseason and do just that.”
Fortunately, the Bears get a long deserved rest from traveling and get to swing at home today at 4 p.m. when WU plays its first of only three home matches on the season. WU will take on Illinois Wesleyan University (0-8). Last season the Bears were able to dominate IWU, 6-1.
After two months on the road, the Bears are understandably excited about playing on their home court.
“I’m excited to not have people booing when I make a good shot and cheering when I hit one in the net,” said Alvo.
Feldman added, “There is nothing like playing in front of the home crowd-the more fans the better.” But as Doyle points out, the best part is not getting home at 4 a.m.