Elmira Edges Lycoming in Non-Conference Action, 5-4
Score: Elmira College 5 – Lycoming College 4
Records: Elmira (5-4), Lycoming (4-7)
Location: Bruce Henry Park – Williamsport, Pa.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Despite traveling with only five players, the Elmira College men's tennis team prevailed against non-conference foe Lycoming College with a nail-biting 5-4 victory in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Similar to yesterday's league-opener against Ithaca College, the Soaring Eagles forfeited matches at third doubles and sixth singles and entered today's contest against the Warriors in a 2-0 hole. Elmira erased that deficit with a pair of no-nonsense wins at first and second doubles, quickly bringing the score to 2-2.
Anthony Colavito '20 and
Yaniv Kogan '18 teamed up for an 8-3 victory at the top spot, while
Patrick Tracey '18 and
Stephen Gervase '20 rolled to an 8-1 win at the No. 2 position.
Second-year netter
Jordan Curtis '19 gave the Purple and Gold their first lead of the match, 3-2, with a routine 6-2, 6-2 triumph at fifth singles. That win was shortly followed by another straight-set victory, this one coming from Tracey at the second spot, 6-3, 6-0, which gave the Soaring Eagles a 4-2 lead.
Lycoming's Bryce Jones kept the Warriors within striking distance with a straight-set win at top singles position, but hopes of a comeback for the home team came to a screeching halt thanks to a three-set win by Gervase at the fourth position. Each set was decided by just one break of serve, as the freshman grinded out an ultra-competitive 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 win to clinch a 5-4 victory for the Soaring Eagles.
In His Own Words…
Head Coach
Tom Linhart shares his thoughts on Elmira's play this afternoon…
"Overall I thought we played a tough match, especially with being outside for the first time since the fall. We had a little trouble closing out some sets, but as a whole we stepped up and played well."
Coach Linhart reflects on winning despite some adversity…
"Today was filled with adversity between being outside and missing two of our top six players. I felt like the guys really felt the pressure and handled it well. Once we settled in we really controlled the match."
Coach Linhart on what he thought the difference in today's match was…
"The big difference for us today was consistency and mental toughness. "Our guys were able to stay in points longer, were patient, and closed out matches when we needed to. For a young team it was impressive."
Coach Linhart on how today's win helps EC moving into the heart of conference play…
"Moving forward it will be nice to have a winning record, especially with a tough conference schedule ahead of us. "Our guys are feeling like they can take on any challenge right now."
Scores
Singles
1. Bryce Jones (LYCOMING) def.
Anthony Colavito (ELMIRA) 6-1, 6-3
2.
Patrick Tracey (ELMIRA) def. Rob Smith (LYCOMING) 6-3, 6-0
3. Evan Bennetch (LYCOMING) def.
Yaniv Kogan (ELMIRA) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
4.
Stephen Gervase (ELMIRA) def. Mitch Wheary (LYCOMING) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
5.
Jordan Curtis (ELMIRA) def. Zachary High (LYCOMING) 6-2, 6-2
6. Josh Cram (LYCOMING) def. No player (ELMIRA), by forfeit
Doubles
1. Colavito/Kogan (ELMIRA) def. Jones/Smith (LYCOMING) 8-3
2. Gervase/Tracey (ELMIRA) def. Bennetch/Wheary (LYCOMING) 8-1
3. High/Cram (LYCOMING) def. No player/No player (ELMIRA), by forfeit
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,2,1,4,3)
News and Notes
- Elmira's overall record jumped back over .500 with today's win (5-4).
- EC improved to 2-1 in away matches this season, including a 2-0 mark this spring.
- Today marked the first 5-4 win of the season for EC and the team's first since April 16, 2016.
- The Soaring Eagles improved to 2-0 all-time against Lycoming.
- Tracey moved into a two-way tie for fourth place in EC history for career singles wins (23).
- Gervase clinched today's win for the Soaring Eagles.
Up Next
Elmira will look to make it two wins in a row next Saturday, April 8, when the Soaring Eagles travel to face the Hawks of Hartwick College. The Empire 8 Conference bout is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Oneonta, New York.