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SEPT.
1 — Squad Sheds Rebuilding Label In First Match
Ultra-young squad
goes out and stuns MCC foe Grace in first match of season |
Goshen, IN — For all intents and purposes, the Goshen College men’s
tennis team knew going into this season that it was to be a rebuilding year.
With five players new to the squad and one of only two returnees hobbled
by tendonitis, head coach Stan King said he wanted to measure the team’s
success by individual improvement rather than wins and losses.
The team then opened the 2005 season with a 5-4 win over Mid-Central
Conference foe Grace College at the Goshen College Tennis Complex Thursday
afternoon.
Chalk one up for overachievement.
“It’s great to start the season with a win, especially one in
conference play and with such a young, new team,” King said following
the match. “I
was pleased with the quality of our play at most positions. The
match was as close as it could be, but I’m glad we were able to pull
it out. It really is a testament to the work our players have put in so far
this
fall.”
With four freshman and only a single junior on the Leafs’ seven-man
squad, King said he wasn’t ready to shed the “rebuilding” label
quite yet. Still, the Goshen’s win over Grace at least proved this
year’s team has some toughness to it, scratching out the wins it needed
to preserve the match.
After Goshen (1-0, 1-0) split the six singles decisions with
the Lancers, the match would be decided at the doubles positions.
Freshmen Mickey Girma and Sheldon Good paired for an 8-4 win
at number one doubles, while
Grace was able to take the number three doubles slot by an 8-3
count over sophomore Jason Yoder and freshman Matt Harms. All
eyes then fell on junior
Tim Yoder and freshman Shyam Sabanathan at number two, as the
duo was locked in a lengthy battle with Grace’s Drew McIntire and
Zac McGowen.
After taking a 3-2 lead to start the match, Yoder and Sabanathan
dropped the next four games, faltering to a 3-6 deficit. By this point, the
pair knew the overall match was hinging on their result. With the pressure
of a team win or loss hanging in the balance, Yoder and Sabanathan picked
up their play, tying the match at 6-6 before tying it again at 7-7. The twosome
picked up the final two games with a service break and service win. The Leafs
had escaped with a literal final-game decision.
“The important part of this match was that Tim and Shyam were
able to come from behind in a match that lacked luster to win,” King
said. “I’m confident they will be able to pick up the level of
their doubles play in future matches.”
The doubles win concluded a nice afternoon for Sabanathan, who
took the number two singles match by a 6-1, 6-0 score. King inserted the
first-year player into the number two slot after junior JD Windhorst — who
held the Leafs’ number two singles position for the past two seasons — was
redshirted due to studying abroad this fall.
“Shyam completely dominated his singles match in all aspects,
even though he held back on his first serves due to some recent
soreness in his upper arm,” King said. “Overall, it was a quality
effort on his part from start to finish.”
Other Goshen highlights included a 6-2, 6-4 win at number three
singles by Good and an impressive 6-2, 6-3 win at number six singles by Harms.
Freshman Chris Nuemann took a lengthy 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win in the day’s
lone exhibition match.
“Sheldon Good played a steady game with good consistency to win
against an experienced foe at number three, while Matt Harms
got a great win at number six in his first collegiate match. Sheldon’s
serves are a strong aspect of his play and are getting more consistent. Matt
was able
to serve effectively and hit his ground strokes reasonably well.”
Goshen will not have much time to enjoy its upset victory, as
the team will travel to perennial MCC powerhouse Bethel College on Saturday.
Match time is set for 12:30 p.m.
Singles:
#1 Landon Reifsnider (Gr) def Mickey Girma 6-0, 6-3
#2 Shyam Sabanathan (Go) def Matt Blevins 6-1, 6-0
#3 Sheldon Good (Go) def Drew McIntire 6-2, 6-4
#4 Zac McGowen (Gr) def Tim Yoder 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
#5 Marcus Moore (Gr) def Jason Yoder 6-2, 6-2
#6 Matt Harms (Go) def Scott Abshagen 6-2, 6-3
Doubles:
#1 Mickey Girma/Sheldon Good (Go) def Landon Reifsnider/Matt
Blevins 8-4
#2 Shyam Sabanathan/Tim Yoder (Go) def Drew McIntire/Zac McGowen
9-7
#3 Marcus Moore/Josh Sloop (Gr) def Jason Yoder/Matt Harms 8-3
Exhibition Match:
Chris Neumann (Go) def Josh Sloop 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
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 Freshman
Sheldon Good
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