The Washington University men’s tennis team was successful this weekend as they posted two decisive victories at home with wins over the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (0-7) and Wittenberg University, Ohio (8-4), to push their season record to 7-4.
As promised, Coach Roger Follmer switched things up a little for this weekend’s match-ups, changing doubles partnerships and singles positions. Several freshmen gained some match experience and saw lots of playing time.
On Friday afternoon, the Bears took on Eau Claire at the Tao Tennis Center and sent them back to Wisconsin with a resounding 6-1 loss. The doubles teams had been struggling recently, but WU was able to come away with a 3-0 sweep. Junior Chee Lee teamed up with freshman Tim Fisher at No. 1 doubles and secured a close 8-6 victory. Junior Brian Alvo and freshman Zach Fayne won 8-3 at the No. 2 spot, while senior David Genovese and senior co-captain Max Schlather walked away with a decisive 8-1 win.
Singles was much of the same – WU won five of the six matches, dropping only the No. 6 position, 6-4, 6-1, to Wisconsin. Alvo won a close first set in a tiebreaker 7-6 (2) and closed out the match 6-2 in the second set. No. 2 singles, Fayne secured a 6-4, 6-1 victory. Freshman Eric Borden made his debut at No. 3 singles and walked away with a 6-3, 6-0. Lee played at No. 4 and won 6-2, 6-1 while senior Jimmy Takeuchi started at No. 5 and earned a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
“While our team is better than both of the teams we played, it’s always good to get more matches under our belts,” Alvo said. “It was a good opportunity for us to work on our games, and give some of the younger guys a chance to play at higher positions and gain some confidence. It was great playing doubles with Zach…he’s got a great competitive spirit when he sets his mind to it. With time, he will develop into a great player and contributor for our team.”
The Bears’ success continued on Saturday when they took on Wittenberg and won 5-2. Again, the doubles teams played extremely well and helped WU carry the momentum into the singles matches. This time Alvo teamed with freshman Ari Rosenthal at No. 1 and won 8-5 while freshman Neil Kenner and Fayne secured an 8-3 victory at No. 2. Genovese and Schlather continued their doubles dominance with an 8-4 conquest.
“Between Ari’s doubles skills and Neil’s intensity and outstanding singles play, we’re more talented than we’ve ever been,” Alvo said. “Their attitudes and success should be a role model for everyone. I couldn’t be prouder of the way they are playing.”
Kenner and Rosenthal continued to display their dominance on Saturday afternoon in singles play. Kenner, ranked No. 35 nationally, eradicated his opponent 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles while Rosenthal added a decisive 6-2, 6-0 victory of his own at the No. 4 position. Fayne recorded a hard fought three set victory 6-0, 1-6, 6-3 at No. 5 while Borden won 6-2, 6-3 at the No. 6 position. Meanwhile, Schlather lost a close one 7-5 in the first set and the second set in a close 7-6 (5) tiebreaker. Alvo, ranked No. 15 nationally, dropped his only match of the weekend when he lost to Wittenberg’s No. 1 player and No. 17 ranked Casey Clagett, 6-1, 7-6(4).
As the University Athletic Association Conference Tournament held on April 25-27, approaches, the Bears are trying to stay focused and continue improving. “We’re still looking for everyone to be on the same page on the same day. Of late, some guys have been up, some down. We’re just working on maximizing our potential all at the same time,” said Alvo. “We have the chemistry, we just need to execute it. That is the goal behind being successful and I am confident we’ll get there.”
The Bears will have an opportunity to continue adding to their two-match win streak when they take on visiting and fellow UAA team, New York University next Saturday, April 12th at 1pm.
“The outlook for the rest of the season is very positive,” Alvo said. “I’m excited to see how we will mesh come later April and early May. The group of guys this year is incredible…I think some fireworks are foreseeable in the future.”