HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (March 25, 2008)–Hampden-Sydney's tennis team rode strong performances across the board, making several gritty comebacks en route to an emphatic 8-1 victory over Atlantic South Region No. 19 Averett University on Tuesday afternoon. Tigers' No. 1 hitter Will Moss (Fredericksburg, VA/Fredericksburg), fresh off his ODAC Player of the Week honor, pieced together two outstanding performances to help spearhead the Hampden-Sydney effort. The win improves the Tigers to 6-1 overall.
Moss, ranked No. 8 in the region, dispatched of Cougars' top man and regional No. 19 Erick Ocampo in No. 1 singles. After dropping the first set 4-6, Moss responded well, losing just three games the rest of the way in claiming a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. Tigers' freshman Rich Pugh (Augusta, GA/Lakeside) topped Averett's Marcelo Diaz 6-3, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. Hampden-Sydney's Zack Pack (Keysville, VA/Randolph-Henry), Tal Covington (Gainesville, VA/Flint Hill School) and Andrew McLeod (Mandeville, Jamaica/Manchester) scored solid victories in their singles matches as well.
The Tigers swept doubles competition, highlighted by a breathtaking, come-from-behind victory by the No. 2 freshman duo of Pack and Shad Harrell (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin). Down 2-5, the Hampden-Sydney pair rallied to knot the set at 8-8 before capturing the tiebreak and the win for the Tigers.
The Tigers will look to capitalize on the momentum from the big win when they return to action Wednesday, March 26, traveling to Fayetteville, NC to battle 14th-ranked Methodist College. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:30 pm.
Singles
1. Will Moss (HSC) def. Erick Ocampo (AU): 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
2. Rich Pugh (HSC) def. Marcelo Diaz (AU): 6-3, 6-3
3. Xavier Ruiz (AU) def. Shad Harrell (HSC): 6-3, 6-3
4. Zack Pack (HSC) def. Robbie Ferris (AU): 6-1, 6-1
5. Tal Covington (HSC) def. Jeff Imgrund (AU): 6-0, 6-2
6. Andrew McLeod (HSC) def. Will Sanford (AU): 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1. Moss/Pugh (HSC) def. Diaz/Ruiz (AU): 8-5
2. Harrell/Pack (HSC) def. Ocampo/Ferris (AU): 9-8 (2)
3. Covington/McLeod (HSC) def. Imgrund/Sanford (AU): 8-2
