FERRUM, VA (March 16, 2010)– The Hampden-Sydney tennis team returned from spring break in much the same form as they began it, putting together a total team effort to beat Ferrum College yesterday by a final score of 8-1. The Tigers won five of six singles matches and all three doubles matches in the convincing win. This was the first match of four on consecutive days for Hampden-Sydney.
In doubles play, juniors Tal Covington (Gainesville, VA/Flint Hill) and Zack Pack (Keysville, VA/Randolph-Henry) played their best doubles match of the young season with controlled but aggressive play to win 8-2. Senior Richie Holzapfel (Hagerstown, MD/St. Maria Goretti) paired up with sophomore Ian Sammler (Prince George, VA/Prince George) and played well in their first match as a team. The duo took charge early and served and volleyed well throughout the match to take it 8-1. In the third doubles matchup, sophomore Barrett Polan (Greenwich, CT/Greenwich) and freshmanFranklin Bowers (New Bern, NC/Arendell Parrott Academy) both saw their first action of the season and gutted out a 9-8 (10-8) victory.
At the no. 1 singles position, Covington returned well and made precise passing shots to win 6-2, 6-0. Pack played a very controlled match at the no. 2 spot, serving and volleying with consistency and accuracy to take the match 6-2, 6-1. In the no. 3 slot, Holzapfel was able to out-maneuver his opponent with steady play and well thought out points to win 6-2, 6-3. Sophomore Ryan Davis (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring) used his all court game to secure a win at the no. 4 position by a margin of 6-3, 6-4, and Sammler served well and hit penetrating ground strokes to take his match 6-2, 6-2.
With the win, Hampden-Sydney improves to 3-0 on the year, while Ferrum falls to 0-3. The Tigers have no time to relax, however, as they travel to Lynchburg today to take on the Hornets of Lynchburg College at 3:30 in an ODAC matchup. After a match at Randolph College tomorrow afternoon, Hampden-Sydney will return home for a pivotal ODAC tilt against Washington & Lee on Friday at 3:00 pm.
Singles
1. Tal Covington (HSC) def. Chris Miller (FC): 6-2, 6-0
2. Zack Pack (HSC) def. John Hartin (FC): 6-2, 6-1
3. Richie Holzapbel (HSC) def. Bob Dill (FC): 6-2, 6-3
4. Ryan Davis (HSC) def. Matt Mellone (FC): 6-3, 6-4
5. Ian Sammler (HSC) def. Darren Agee (FC):6-2, 6-2
6. Jay Dotson (FC) def. Matt MacFarland (HSC): 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. Pack/Covington (HSC) def. Miller/Grubb (FC): 8-2
2. Holzapfel/Sammler (HSC) def. Hartin/Mellone (FC):8-1
3. Polan/Bowers (HSC) def. Dill/Agee (FC): 9-8 (10-8)
