The men’s tennis team knocked off the Coast Guard Academy on Monday, 6-1, improving their fall record to 3-0. The Cardinals swept the doubles matches and looked impressive in their final preparation match before a few of the team’s players head to the ITA tourney at Williams on Saturday.
“The Coast Guard match was a good win for us,” said Paul Gerges ’08 after the match. “We knew as a team that we’d have to step up and play well, because our senior captain Max Kates was out of town for the match. This forced team members to play a position up on the line-up, and in most cases giving the new frosh members on the team a chance to contribute and step it up for the team.”
Wesleyan got big wins in the singles match from four freshmen, including Gerges in the four spot. But the tone of the day was set by the doubles matches. Wesleyan dominated, winning all three by a combined score of 24-8. At the top spot, Tallen Todorovich ’07 and Jaafar Rizvi ’09 teamed for the win, 8-4. A pair of frosh who did not play singles, Matt O’Connell and Graham Immerman, combined for a win in the second spot and Gerges and Alejandro Alvarado ’08 grabbed a win to close the doubles out.
In singles Mike Frank ’08, in the second spot, won his match in the third set, after dropping the opening set.
“My opponent from Coast Guard was a very strong player,” Frank said. “He had a big serve and a huge forehand. As the match progressed though, I started returning serves better and getting used to his game. In the second set, I found a formula that worked and was able to get a tough win.”
In the three-hole, Alvarado took home a win, 6-0, 6-2.
“I was determined to win, whether I was playing well or not,” Alvarado said. “I was focused throughout the entire match and had very few unforced errors. I was a little intimidated my by opponent’s stature, but I kept my mind on my goal, winning. My serve and forehand were really on, making it easier for me to dictate and take control of the points.”
Gerges added his win at four and the rout was on. Rizvi and Quinn Olbrich ’08 each took their matches with ease, handing the Cardinals a big 6-1 victory over Coast Guard.
“Depth is definitely the strength of this team,” Frank said. “From number one through number eleven, we’re very competitive. Throughout the fall, our four, five and six players have been winning and showcasing the talent we have from top to bottom.”
This weekend Kates and Todorovich, the team’s top two players in singles, will head to the ITA tournament along with Gerges and Alvarado. The freshmen will be pairing for doubles.
“I think that each of us have a good chance of getting at least a couple of rounds,” Alvarado said. “Paul and I have cleaned up in all the matches we’ve played together, so I am very hopeful about how we will do.”
“Tallen and Max should also do well,” Alvarado said. “Max has had some great matches this fall, impressing the entire squad with his quickness and powerful groundstroke. Tallen’s speed and patience have also done him well this fall. Both players have the potential to get deep in the tourney.”
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