SPORTS

Men's tennis endures another tough loss

by Ben Gleason

Times are tough for the men's tennis team. Playing in a double-header against Allegheny College and conference rival Wittenberg College last Saturday, the Yeomen lost both matches 6-1.

Add that to a 7-0 loss Wednesday to Case Western Reserve University, and the week was another downer for the team. serving up defeat

Taking on Allegheny in the first match of the day, the Yeomen were unable to compete with the talented Pennsylvania squad. In the lone victory of the competition, sophomore Mike Shelton defeated Brandon Grove 6-4, 6-4. But Allegheny did not walk away with uncontested wins. Second singles player senior Sam Steckley stole the first set from Pete Vandekappelle before losing the final two sets. Senior Mike O'Connell pushed his match to a third-set tiebraker before Mat Sowa earned a win, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6. Citing the need to win the three set matches and tiebrakers, coach Don Hunsinger said, "We need to win those matches where we're just about there."

On the doubles side, the men's tennis team challenged Allengheny but the efforts were not enough to walk away with any of the three doubles contests. At first doubles Steckley and junior Eric Shin took on Dave Howell and Pete Vandekappelle and almost racked up a win. But Howell and Vandekappelle steeled themselves in the tense match and won 9-8. In another close match, this one at third doubles, junior Jon Stinson and sophomore Ben Fox met John Dymond and Joe Gallagher. Stinson and Fox played strong tennis, but were ultimately turned away in a 8-6 defeat.

It seems that throughout the season, the men's tennis team has been physically in the game, matching groundstrokes with their opponents, but the mental fortitude has not been there. Hunsinger said, "We've come up empty-handed. The coaches are still trying; the players are still trying; we're going to continue to work hard until we find the solution."

In the second match last Saturday, the men's team tried to chalk up a victory against Wittenberg College. Once again Steckley played strong, beating Colin Beach 6-2, 6-2 in his second singles match. Shelton managed to stay in his closely-contested match against Mark Fajgenbaum, winning the first set 6-4 and taking both the second and third sets to tiebreakers. Fajgenbaum ultimately won the match. At first doubles, Steckley and Shin again paired up and earned four points from Wittenberg's team of Bryan Heft and Colin Beach wise, Shelton and first-year Richard Raz lost 8-2 at third doubles. "We lost our focus during the course of the match and that cost us," Raz said. "We need to heighten our intensity if we want to win matches against tough opponents."

Wednesday's match was even rougher on the team. They fell 7-0 to Case Western Reserve University, winning only one set. O'Connell nabbed this small victory for them.

The men's tennis team faces Ohio Wesleyan and Earlham in another double-header Saturday. Hunsinger said, "We're going to get some victories this weekend."


Photo:
Serving up defeat: Despite their valiant efforts, the Yeomen have struggled mightily during this tennis season. (photo by Gregory Bell)

 

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Copyright © 1999, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 127, Number 21, April 23, 1999

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