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SEPT.
6 — Harms Racks Up Lone Point Against Wesleyan
Powerful
IWU squad takes 8-1 decision; King pleased with
effort of young team |
Goshen, IN — The Goshen College men’s tennis team dropped an
8-1 decision to Mid-Central Conference rival Indiana Wesleyan University
Tuesday afternoon at the Goshen College Tennis Complex, the squad’s
second consecutive defeat in MCC play.
After beating Grace College to open the 2005 campaign, Goshen
(1-2, 1-2) has now dropped its last two matches, perhaps a reflection of
the youth and inexperience on the Leafs’ primarily underclassmen roster.
Still, the team continues to improve according to head coach Stan King.
“Of the three matches we’ve played this season, I feel like as
a team we played the best we’ve played so far today,” King said
following the loss. “I was happy to see our guys put up a good fight
against a powerful Indiana Wesleyan team. Though we lost in straight sets
at number
one, two and three singles, there were a lot of great points,
and we played tougher than the scores would indicate. Hopefully we’ll
be able to improve our consistency as the season progresses and win at some
of these
positions.”
Goshen’s lone point came at the number six singles slot Tuesday, as
freshman Matt Harms recorded his second win of the season at that position.
Harms was able to take down Wesleyan’s Ryan Muir by a 6-3, 6-3 score,
never wavering in a solid effort.
“Matt played consistent tennis within his game to put together
an impressive two-set win,” King said. “He’s improving
each time out.”
The Leafs’ best chance at additional points came at number four and
five singles, where junior Tim Yoder and sophomore Jason Yoder each lost
in three-set marathons. The former had the most astounding turnaround, taking
a 6-2 decision in the second set after dropping the first by a 4-6 count.
Yoder then lost in the final set by a 7-3 tie-breaker to decide a 6-6 deadlock.
“Tim Yoder and Jason Yoder did a nice job to extend their matches
to three sets before Wesleyan won these matches,” King said. “Tim
made an impressive comeback from down 2-5 in the third set to
send the match into a tie breaker. It’s unfortunate that he wasn’t
rewarded with a win for his effort.”
After dropping those two close singles points, Goshen’s doubles teams
faltered. The Leafs were only able to capture a combined nine games in the
three doubles positions.
“In all three doubles matches we failed too often in critical
situations to put away our volleys, giving opponents opportunity
to stay in points and eventually win them,” King said. “I feel
like the experience we gained from this match should make us a stronger team
in future
matches.”
King’s squad will return to its home court for its next official match
Saturday, when MCC foe Marian College will come to the Maple City. Match
time is slated for 11 a.m. This will come off the heels of the Leafs’ annual
exhibition community match, when local players get a chance to hone their
skills against Goshen’s players. That event is slated for Thursday
afternoon, beginning at 6 p.m.
Singles:
#1 Luke Helms (W) def Mickey Girma 6-1, 6-0
#2 Phil Jackson (W) def Shyam Sabanathan 6-3, 6-1
#3 Chad Hathaway (W) def Sheldon Good 6-3, 6-1
#4 Luke Wright (W) def Tim Yoder 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3)
#5 Jared Rinkenberg (W) def Jason Yoder 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
#6 Matt Harms (G) def Ryan Muir 6-3, 6-3
Doubles:
#1 Luke Helms/Phil Jackson (W) def Mickey Girma/Sheldon Good
8-3
#2 Chad Hathaway/Luke Wright (W) def Shyam Sabanathan/Tim Yoder
8-4
#3 Jared Thorne/Jared Ringenberg (W) def Jason Yoder/Matt Harms
8-2
Exhibition Match:
Chris Neumann (G) def Kevin Smigielski 1-6, 6-2,
6-1
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 Freshman
Matt Harms
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