ATLANTA, GA - On the last day of competition in the Southern Shootout, the Rhodes College men did exactly what they have been practicing all spring, and it finally showed up on court after a trying weekend.  The Lynx swept the doubles with 8-3, 8-6, and 8-0 wins at lines one, two, and three.  
 
Sowden and Brilliant, who were handed a tough loss last match against Methodist leading 7-3, found themselves in familiar waters today on court two.  After charging to a 6-1 lead today, the sophomore duo lost four straight games, shrinking their massive lead to 6-5.  
 
"All I told them was to trust each other and play with confidence," said Coach Dodd.  "They're smart players.  But I could tell they were hoping to make shots instead of expecting to make shots after that first break of serve."  
 
Sowden and Brilliant traded holds of serve with Bridgewater's No. 2 doubles team until the Lynx duo broke to close out an 8-6 decision and complete the sweep.
 
In singles competition, the Lynx men were pushed, but the final results ended up 8-1 in favor of Rhodes.  Olivier cruised to a 1 and 0 victory at line five, and Sowden was close behind with his 6-2, 6-2 win to clinch the match for Rhodes. Vacheron fell behind 4-1 in his second set before rattling off five straight games leading to a 6-4, 6-4 win at line two.  Blatt was tested once again, but after dropping an uncharacteristic 6-2 first set, he rebounded to take the second set 6-4, and played a masterful third-set tiebreaker, winning 10-6.  
 
The Lynx move to 3-3 on the year, and are back in action in Orange Beach, Ala. Sunday, March 9 on spring break.
 
Rhodes College 8, Bridgewater College 1
March 2, 2014
Blackburn Tennis Center
Atlanta, GA
 
Singles Competition
 
Eliot Blatt (RC) def. Brandon Larsen (BC) 2-6, 6-4, 10-6
Albert Vacheron (RC) def. Kyle Hartfield (BC) 6-4, 6-4
Christian Lynn (BC) def. Greyson Brilliant (RC) 6-3, 6-3
Trevor Lew (RC) def. Thomas Rishcoff (BC) 7-5, 6-3
Daniel Olivier (RC) def. Sam Churchill (BC) 6-1, 6-0
Graham Sowden (RC) def. Mike Cable (BC) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles Competition
 
Blatt/Lew (RC) def. Lynn/Cable (BC) 8-3
Sowden/Brilliant (RC) def. Larsen Rishcoff (BC) 8-6
Vacheron/Olivier (RC) def. Hartfield/Churchill (BC) 8-0
 
Match Notes
 
Rhodes College 3-3; Regional Ranking No. 13
Bridgewater College 0-5; Regional Ranking No. 15
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2) Singles (5, 6, 2, 1, 4, 3)