Elmira Rolls to 7-2 Victory in Home Opener
Score: Elmira College 7, Salem International University 2
Records: Elmira (1-2), Salem International (0-3)
Location: Murray Athletic Center Tennis Dome – Pine Valley, NY
Pine Valley, NY -- After opening the spring portion of its schedule with a road loss, the Elmira College men's tennis team responded nicely this afternoon with an impressive 7-2 win over visiting Salem International University in its home opener. Today's win is Elmira's first of the season and is the team's first win in a home opener since 2011.
Elmira flexed its muscle early with a pair of solid doubles performances from its teams at the second and third spots.
Chris Konow '18 and
Patrick Tracey '18 teamed up for an 8-0 win at second doubles, while
Yu Ikeda '16 and
Yaniv Kogan '18 produced an 8-1 victory at the third position.
EC's top doubles team fell by a break, as the match entered singles competition with the Soaring Eagles out in front, 2-1.
A pair of 6-0, 6-1 wins by
Austin Mansell '16 and Tracey at third and fourth singles put the Purple and Gold just one win away from sealing its first win of the season. Mansell's doubles partner,
Satchal Waters '16 would deliver the match-clinching point with a 6-2, 6-4 win at the second spot.
With the match already decided, EC's win was made even sweeter with victories at the fifth and sixth spots by Konow and Kogan.
In His Own Words…
Coach
Tom Linhart shares his thoughts on how his team played today…
"As a whole we played pretty well and did the little things well today. In doubles we are looking more aggressive and in singles we are playing tactically. At this point of the season, that bodes well for us."
Coach Linhart reflects on earning his first win with the EC men's team…
"It was a very good to get a win under our belts, especially at home where we have been strong in the past. I was just glad to see that the last weeks paid off this afternoon."
Coach Linhart on what this win does for the team moving forward…
"It was nice to see our guys come through with a strong performance today and to feel the reward of the past weeks of practice. It will be even more important moving forward against a tough opponent tomorrow."
Turning Point
Today's turning point was simply Elmira's dominance in singles action. Aside from a loss at first singles, EC won the remaining five matches. In those five matches, Elmira won 60-of-77 total games and did not drop a set in the process.
Match Recap
- Elmira won two of three doubles matches, earning wins at the second and third positions.
- The doubles tandem of Konow and Tracey were 8-1 winners at the second spot.
- EC's third doubles combo of Ikeda and Kogan blanked their opponents, 8-0.
- Elmira was dominant in singles play, claiming wins in five of the six matches.
- Ikeda dropped a straight set decision at first singles, 6-4, 6-2.
- Waters was a 6-2, 6-4 winner at the second spot, which clinched the win for EC this afternoon.
- Mansell and Tracey were both 6-0, 6-1 winners at third and fourth singles, receptively.
- Konow tallied a 6-1, 6-3 victory at fifth singles, while Kogan prevailed at the six spot, 6-2, 6-3.
News and Notes
- Today's win was Elmira's first of the season.
- It also marked the first time Elmira has won a home opener since the 2011 season.
- Singles wins by Mansell and Waters place the two seniors in a two-way tie for second place in career singles victories (24).
- Ikeda's doubles victory is his first collegiate win with the Soaring Eagles.
Up Next
Elmira will not have long to enjoy today's win, as the Soaring Eagles return to the courts tomorrow afternoon, when the Purple and Gold face Roberts Wesleyan College. Tomorrow's cross-divisional non-conference match is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center Tennis Dome.