Men's Tennis takes the road, returns to lose

Team 4-5 after a 2-3 spring break record

The men's tennis team has been very busy these last few weeks, as they travelled to the deep south for a few matches and then returned to Oberlin for their first conference match.

On Mar. 15 they began their journey south for spring break; first to Atlanta to play Emory College, and then to Florida to face off against Springfield University, Grinnell College, Onandaga College, and the University of Hartford. Members of the travelling team included, first-year Tony Choi, captain senior Koji Ebersole, sophomroe Peter Swendson, sophomore Mike O'Connell, first-year Wes Clapp and sophomore Sam Steckley.

"I was pleased with the way they played, especially doubles, we are much improved since last year. I can't reiterate enough the importance of the doubles point and the three through six singles positions," Coach Chris Barker said. The team returned home with a 2-3 record from spring break.

Their overall season record is 4-5, but the season is only beginning. Their first conference match was on Tuesday against Case Western Reserve University. The men's hopes were high to win, but a few key matches cost them the victory. The final score was 3-4.

Barker said, "If they had played their best it would have been 5-2. A couple of guys had an off day. I was pleased with those who won, they played really well. The number one doubles team, of Steckley and Swendson, gutted out a great win. I'm pleased with the effort of Koji, number one singles, and Tony, number two singles, they are giving everything they've got in each match."

In doubles, Steckley and Swendson won 9-7. Number two doubles, Ebersole and O'Connell, and number three Choi and Shin both lost to their opponents, 8-4.

In singles Ebersole lost 6-3, 6-1 and Choi lost 6-3, 6-0. "These guys will have tough matches all season long," says Barker. Steckley was victorious with 6-2, 6-3, but O'Connell was defeated 6-2, 6-1. The number five and six spots were won by Oberlin; Swendson won a thee-set match 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 and Shin trampled his opponent 6-3, 6-1.

The men have their second conference match against Kenyon, at home, on Saturday.

You don't like my serve?:The men's tennis team had to grit their teeth to bear a frustrating 4-3 loss to Case on Tuesday (photo by Zach Fried)