GREENCASTLE, Ind. – The Rhodes men's tennis team fell on the road to open 2015 play against DePauw University, 8-1 and Earlham College, 5-4.
The men faced two formidable opponents to start their season last week. The Lynx were scheduled to play DePauw University and Earlham University in Greencastle, IN at the Tigers' indoor facility. Rhodes went up against the No. 24 Nationally Ranked DePauw team, commencing the first match of their season. The Lynx started off hot in the doubles and pushed the Tigers on all three courts.
Daniel Oliver and
Jack Patton played a competitive match against No. 1 team of Eric Vannatta and Alec Kaczkowski, but quickly went down a break. The Lynx pair earned a break back and were up 30-0 at 5-4 to get back even, but the DePauw pair rallied from behind to hold serve and eventually won the match 8-4.
Graham Sowden and
Albert Vacheron were neck and neck against Depauw's No. 2 team of Chris Bertolini and Dan Dodefeld. The Lynx pair were on serve, demonstrating great doubles awareness and net coverage until 4-4 in the set. The Tigers finally converted on their third break point chance and were able to close out the match 8-5.
Eliot Blatt and
Greyson Brilliant started off in a deep hole, down 5-2, before rallying a comeback against Patrick Farrell and Harold Martin. The Lynx team pulled ahead 6-5 and seemed certain to pull away with the match, but the Tigers duo were able to hold off Brilliant and Blatt, finishing the match 8-6.
In singles, the Tigers proved why they are a top national ranked team, earning quick breaks in five out of six singles matches.
Greyson Brilliant was able to hit through Rico Lumanlan and put up the lone point for the Lynx. After a grueling first set which eventually lead to a dramatic tiebreaker, Brilliant found himself up a set. He continued his dominance in the second set and was able to close Lumanlan out 6-3.
The Lynx second match of the day was against the Quakers of Earlham College. After a delaying the match, which originally started at 11:00 am due to terrible weather conditions, the Lynx finally started playing at 9:00 pm. This match was a nail biting thriller that ultimately came down to the last court, an epic match and great experience for the Lynx.
Blatt and Brilliant were able to strike first and capture their first doubles point as a team, beating Brown and Schwartz 8-3 at No. 3 doubles. Although Sowden and Vacheron went down a double break quickly at the No. 2 position, they eventually gained momentum and nearly brought it back on serve at 5-3; however their opponents Babikov and Tetarevic were too strong and closed out the match 8-5. Olivier and Patton pulled off a stellar performance at No. 1 in dramatic fashion.
After trading breaks at 3-2 and 5-4, the pair went on to serve for the match at 7-6. Earlham's Stadnyk and Ventura-Cruess would not be denied so easily and broke back, forcing the match to a decision tie breaker. After a barrage of huge serving and volleying, the Lynx pair of Olivier and Patton displayed phenomenal doubles. Olivier earned the mini-break at four all to put the Lynx pair up 5-3 after drilling a huge return, allowing Patton to finish off the point at net. While up in the breaker Stadnyk and Ventura-Cruess put up their final efforts until Patton held to serve out the match 8-6.
The singles were even more entertaining as the Lynx came out fired up and quickly close out matches at No. 5 and No. 6 positions.
Greyson Brilliant and
Luis Ardila made quick work of their opponents and put the Lynx up 4-1. However, the Quakers slowly fought their way back into the match and displayed their singles skills.
Eliot Blatt was able to steal the first set against Stadnyk after being down 5-2 in their first; Although losing the first set,
Graham Sowden fought long and hard to take the second set 6-4;
Albert Vacheron found himself in a battle, deadlocked in a tiebreaker, desperately trying to force a third set after losing the first. Either one of those matches would have made the Lynx victorious.
Vacheron rolled his ankle during the tiebreaker at the worst time, up 5-4 in the tiebreak and was unable to muster any defense, losing the match 8-6 in the breaker.
Eliot Blatt put himself in winning position but was unable to close out the match after serving at 4-1 up in the third. Studnyk gathered himself to put on a display of impressive serving and shot making against Blatt, who out maneuvered and wore his opponent down. After multiple 30 ball rallies, Studnyk stayed solid and was able to close out the match, winning five out of the last six games.
The team match was tied at 4-4 with Sowden battling for the win. Sowden and Tetarevic were locked in a third set at 4-4 until Tetarevic held to go up 5-4. Sowden started his service game impressively and went up 40-0, but after a timely double fault and big returning from Tetarevic, Sowden was unable to withstand his opponent's offense and fell 6-4 in the third.
The Lynx move on to play Xavier University and Loyola University in New Orleans, LA next week.
Scores vs DePauw
Doubles:
- Oliver/Patton v. Vannatta/Kaczkowski Loss, 8-4
- Sowden/Vacheron v. Bertolini/Rodefeld Loss, 8-5
- Blatt/Brilliant v. Farrell/Martin Loss, 8-6
Singles:
- Eliot Blatt v. Chris Bertolini Loss, 6-3, 6-1
- Albert Vacheron v. Dan Rodefeld Loss, 6-2, 6-2
- Daniel Oliver v. Alec Kaczkowski Loss, 6-3, 6-1
- Graham Sowden v. Patrick Farrell Loss, 6-0, 6-1
- Greyson Brilliant v. Rico Lumanlan Won, 7-6 (5), 6-3
- Jack Patton v. Matt Santen Loss, 6-2, 6-1
Scores vs Earlham
Doubles:
- Olivier/Patton v. Stadnyk/Ventura-Cluess Won, 9-8 (5)
- Sowden/Vacheron v. Babikok/Tatarevch Loss, 8-3
- Blatt/Brilliant v. Brown/Schwartz Won, 8-3
Singles:
- Eliot Blatt v. Stadayk Loss, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5
- Albert Vacheron v. Babikok Loss, 6-4, 7-6 (6)
- Daniel Oliver v. Ventura-Cluess Loss, 6-0, 6-2
- Graham Sowden v. Tetaevch Loss, 6-2, 6-4, 7-5
- Greyson Brilliant v. Brown Won, 6-1, 6-1
- Luis Aredila v. Marshall Won, 6-2, 6-0
