MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Rhodes men's tennis team picked up a conference tournament opening win on Friday over Oglethorpe University, 5-3. 

The Rhodes Lynx conclude their season with a great run at the Conference tournament this weekend in Murfreesboro, Tenn.  The Lynx faced a formidable adversary, as they drew Oglethorpe in the first round.
The Petrels came out strong in the doubles and every court, 1-3 went the distance; Albert Vacheron and Graham Sowden were able to close their match out 8-6  at the number three position while Jack Patton and Daniel Olivier closed out a win shortly after.  Eliot Blatt and Greyson Brilliant had match points on Blatt's serve, but were denied by some brilliant vollies by Ben Hirsh.  The Oglethorpe pair pushed the Lynx into a tiebreaker where the Petrels captured their only doubles win. 

As the singles matches commenced, it was apparent every court was going to be a battle.  Blatt was broken quickly in his first set, but was able to break back in the second set and had chances to push it to a final set.  Brillant was able to start his match with a commanding lead, going up 3-0 in the first set.  But Zhao fought and clawed his way back into the first set, finding range on his forehand, and stole the set from Brilliant.  Vacheron dropped the first set quickly but was able to rally back into a third set while Olivier and Ardila made quick work of their opponents in singles.  After Vacheron found his rhythm in the second set, he kept the momentum going in the third, clinching the match at 5-2 for the Lynx.

 

Singles competition

1. C.J. Antonio (OUM) def. Eliot Blatt (RHODESM) 6-4, 6-4

2. Kirk Zhao (OUM) vs. Greyson Brilliant (RHODESM) 6-3, 4-3, unfinished

3. Albert Vacheron (RHODESM) def. Ben Hirsch (OUM) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2

4. Daniel Olivier (RHODESM) def. Judd Motz (OUM) 6-4, 6-2

5. Briton Richardson (OUM) vs. Jack Patton (RHODESM) 6-2, 4-6, 2-3, unfinished

6. Luis Ardila (RHODESM) def. Jimmy Nuckolls (OUM) 6-2, 6-1

 

Doubles competition

1. C.J. Antonio/Ben Hirsch (OUM) def. Eliot Blatt/Greyson Brilliant (RHODESM) 9-8 (0-4)

2. Daniel Olivier/Jack Patton (RHODESM) def. Briton Richardson/Craig Borne (OUM) 9-7

3. Graham Sowden/Albert Vacheron (RHODESM) def. Judd Motz/Josh Rosenberg (OUM) 9-7

 

Match Notes

Rhodes College 8-7-1; Regional ranking #11

Oglethorpe 9-9; Regional ranking #13