JACKSON, Miss. – The men's tennis team moved to 7-3 in the spring season and 2-0 in the Southern Athletic Association Conference race with a decisive 8-1 win over Millsaps College.
 
The Lynx started fast sweeping all of the matches in doubles competition and seizing the momentum moving into singles play.  Eliot Blatt and Colin Perry held serve to start their match but soon found themselves down one break of serve 1-2. 
 
"At that point I just went over to them and said they need to play more aggressive with the wind.  Close tight on top of the net because they could run down anything over their heads," said coach Ryan Dodd.
 
The duo went on to win the next seven games and take the match point 8-2.  The teams of Greyson Brilliant/Graham Sowden and Albert Vacheron/Daniel Olivier had no difficulties taking their matches 8-1 and 8-0 respectively.
 
In singles competition, the Lynx took five of six points to seal the match victory 8-1.  Eliot Blatt continued his dominant winning ways at first singles, claiming victory at 6-4, 6-3. 
 
"His forehand gets better every match he plays.  He has so much heavy topspin and racquet-head speed behind his ball and can really dictate the point with that shot," commented Coach Dodd. 
 
Graham Sowden served up 10 aces on his way to a 6-2, 6-0 win at number six singles.  Sowden has looked impressive at the bottom of the order and figures to give anyone problems at that position with his big serve and resilient baseline game.  The win today will give the Lynx a boost in confidence going into an important match at Birmingham Southern College tomorrow, March 30 at 9 a.m. 
 
Rhodes College 8, Millsaps College 1
March 29, 2014
Millsaps College Tennis Center
Jackson, MS
 
Singles Competition
Eliot Blatt (RC) def. Charles Rees (MC) 6-4, 6-3
Emerson Brundick (MC) def. Colin Perry (RC) 6-2, 3-1 (30-40) ret.
Albert Vacheron (RC) def. Sean Solomonoff (MC) 6-1, 6-1
Greyson Brilliant (RC) def. Misu Pjevac (MC) 6-1, 6-4
Trevor Lew (RC) def. Thomas Mills (MC) 6-2, 6-0
Graham Sowden (RC) def. Taylor Thomas (MC) 6-2, 6-0
 
Doubles Competition
Blatt/Perry (RC) def. Rees/Brundick (MC) 8-2
Sowden/Brilliant (RC) def. Pjevac/Solomonoff (MC) 8-1
Vacheron/Olivier (RC) def. Mills/Thomas (MC) 8-0
 
Match Notes
Rhodes College 7-4 (2-0); Regional Ranking No. 15
Millsaps College 5-7 (0-2)
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1) Singles (5, 2, 1, 3, 6, 4)