Men's Tennis | 5/7/2022 2:59:00 PM
ROCHESTER, NY -- Nathan Allen won matches at both singles and doubles and was named tournament MVP Saturday as second-seeded Nazareth won its first-ever Empire 8 Conference title in men's tennis with a 5-3 upset win over top-seeded Houghton.
Nazareth improved to 12-4 overall and gained the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament that will be contested later this month. Houghton, the defending conference champion, dropped to 12-11 overall.
Allen was victorious for Nazareth at first singles and first doubles. He teamed with William Britton to win 8-4 at first doubles as Nazareth gained a 2-1 advantage after the first three matches. He later defeated Houghton's top singles player Micah Schilke 6-1, 6-1 to taker the first singles point. Britton, who gained Nazareth's decisive point in Friday's 5-3 win over St. John Fisher, also won in straight sets against the Highlanders at sixth singles as he defeated Isaac Little 6-4, 6-3.
Sophomore Isiah McMurray, who was the recipient of the E8 Torchbearer Award for carrying the highest grade-point average among tournament participants, also secured two points for Nazareth by winning at both third doubles and fourth singles. He defeated Houghton's Matt Cicero in straight sets in singles and combined with Dominic Vito to win 8-4 in doubles.
The victory avenged a 5-4 defeat to the Highlanders in last year's final as well as two Houghton victories this season.
2022 Empire 8 Men's Tennis Championship Schedule
Friday, May 6 – Semifinals (Outdoor at Nazareth College)
#1 Houghton College defeated #4 Utica College, 5-0 - BOX SCORE
#2 Nazareth College defeated #3 St. John Fisher College, 5-3 - BOX SCORE
Saturday, May 7 – Championship (Outdoor at Nazareth College; Indoors (if necessary at Mendon Racquet Club)
#2 Nazareth College defeated #1 Houghton College, 5-3 - BOX SCORE
2022 Empire 8 Men's Tennis Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player
Nathan Allen, Jr., Nazareth