Kogan’s Third-Set Thriller Secures Elmira’s 5-4 Win over Alfred
Score: Elmira College 5, Alfred University 4
Records: Elmira (8-8, 2-3 E8), Alfred (4-12, 1-3 E8)
Location: William T. Brown Tennis Courts – Alfred, NY
Alfred, NY -- Elmira College men's tennis got back to its winning ways this afternoon, edging Alfred University on the road by a 5-4 final. The win brings Elmira back to .500 on the year and is the first road win of the season for the Soaring Eagles.
Today's match did not begin as well as it ended, as the Saxons won two of the three doubles points to take a 2-1 lead. Alfred earned wins at first and second doubles, while EC's third doubles tandem of
Yaniv Kogan '18 and
Chris Konow '18 eked out a close one in a tiebreaker, 9-8 (7-3). The win at third doubles would prove to be an all-important one later in today's match.
Alfred quickly made it 3-1 with a straight set victory by Connor Doud at first singles. However, Elmira evened the match shortly after with wins at second and third singles.
Austin Mansell '16 was a straight set winner at the No. 2 position, earning a 6-1, 6-3 win, while
Patrick Tracey '18 cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 victory at the third spot.
Elmira's
Jordan Curtis '19 gave the Soaring Eagles its first lead of the match with a 6-4, 6-3 win at sixth singles, the first victory of his collegiate career. Unfortunately, that lead did not last very long, as Alfred's Kevin Volz claimed a 6-2, 7-5 win at fourth singles, evening the match at 4-4.
With everything knotted up at four apiece, all eyes turned to fifth singles, as Kogan and Alfred's Pat Brown found themselves in a third set tiebreaker. The breaker was a close one, but Kogan's steady play would be the difference, as he pulled out a 7-5 win to clinch a 5-4 victory for the Soaring Eagles.
In His Own Words…
Head Coach
Tom Linhart shares his thoughts on his team's play this afternoon…
"Today was a tough day, between being on the road, playing outside, and facing a team that is very familiar with us. As a whole we played a gutsy match and won on sheer will and desire, which is always good moving forward."
Coach Linhart talks about the toughness his team showed in pulling out a tight 5-4 match…
"We played really well in doubles and had a chance to sweep, but Alfred stepped up to the challenge. I think the fact that we knew we played well gave us the momentum to battle in the singles matches."
Coach Linhart reflects on Kogan prevailing at the fifth spot and clinching the match for EC…
"Yaniv came through big for us today. He had been in a similar situation earlier this season and fell short. I think that experience allowed him to focus and really play a tough match with composure."
Coach Linhart discusses the importance of getting the team's first road win of the season…
"You have to win on the road to go somewhere in the postseason and that has been tough for us this year. So, to close out the win today with some adversity will give the guys a ton of confidence moving forward."
Scores
Singles
1. Connor Doud (ALFRED) def.
Satchal Waters (ELMIRA) 6-0, 6-0
2.
Austin Mansell (ELMIRA) def. Mike Wisniewski (ALFRED) 6-1, 6-3
3.
Patrick Tracey (ELMIRA) def. Matt Baloga (ALFRED) 6-1, 6-0
4. Kevin Volz (ALFRED) def.
Chris Konow (ELMIRA) 6-2, 7-5
5.
Yaniv Kogan (ELMIRA) def. Pat Brown (ALFRED) 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5)
6.
Jordan Curtis (ELMIRA) def. Kyle Kemper (ALFRED) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
1. Doud/Baloga (ALFRED) def. Mansell/Waters (ELMIRA) 8-6
2. Brown/Volz (ALFRED) def. Tracey/Upham (ELMIRA) 9-7
3. Kogan/Konow (ELMIRA) def. Wisniewski/Kemper (ALFRED) 9-8 (7-3)
News and Notes
- Elmira earned its first road win of the season.
- The eight wins this season is tied for the most EC has recorded in over 16 years.
- Today's match marked the first time this season EC has won a match after dropping two-or-more doubles matches.
- The last time EC won a match after winning just one doubles point dates back to last year's 5-4 win over Hartwick.
- Mansell and Tracey are in a two-way for first place in program history for single-season singles victories (11).
- Curtis picked up the first singles victory of his collegiate career.
Up Next
Elmira will enjoy an eight-day layoff until its next contest, which is scheduled for Sunday, April 24th, against Hartwick College. Sunday's conference match is set for 1:00 p.m. at the Murray Athletic Center.