LYNCHBURG, VA (March 18, 2010)– The #13 Hampden-Sydney tennis team continued its winning ways yesterday with a convincing 8-1 win over the Wildcats of Randolph College. The Tigers had too much experience for Randolph to handle. The win was the fifth straight to open the season for the Tigers, and their third win in three days.
The no. 1 doubles team of senior Richie Holzapfel (Hagerstown, MD/St. Maria Goretti) and sophomore Ian Sammler (Prince George, VA/Prince George) dominated their match with good returns and aggressive net play. The no. 2 team of sophomore Ryan Davis (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring)and junior Matt MacFarland (Lynchburg, VA/Heritage) also performed well at the net to secure their victory 8-3. In the final doubles match, freshman Franklin Bowers (New Bern, NC/Arendell Parrott)and sophomore Barrett Polan (Greenwich, CT/Greenwich) used their big serves to overpower their opponents.
The Tigers were equally impressive in their singles matches, taking five of six on the day. At the no. 1 spot, Holzapfel was too consistent and experienced for his opponent, winning 6-1, 6-0. Davis, in the no. 2 slot, overpowered his opponent for the most convincing singles victory of the day at 6-0, 6-0. Sammler was steady from the baseline in his 6-1, 6-2 win, while Bowers used a solid all court game to take his match 6-2, 6-1. MacFarland couldn't find his usual consistent game at the no. 5 spot, dropping his match, but Polan overpowered his opponent with his big serve and ground strokes to finish out the win for Hampden-Sydney.
With the win, the Tigers record improves to 5-0, including a 3-0 ODAC mark. Hampden-Sydney will conclude its stretch of four matches in four days as they host #22 nationally ranked Washington & Lee in a pivotal ODAC matchup. The last time the two teams met, Hampden-Sydney upset Washington & Lee in last year's ODAC championship to end the Generals' streak of 13 consecutive ODAC titles. Play is scheduled to begin at 3:00.
Singles
1. Kenneth Holzapfel (HSC) def. Aaron Humphreys (RC): 6-1, 6-0
2. Ryan Davis (HSC) def. Jimmy Greene (RC): 6-0, 6-0
3. Ian Sammler (HSC) def. Benjamin See (RC): 6-1, 6-2
4. Franklin Bowers (HSC) def. Tashi Dhondup(RC): 6-2, 6-1
5. Reid Winkler (RC) def. Matt MacFarland (HSC):6-3, 6-1
6. Barrett Polan (HSC) def. Guan Wang (RC): 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
1. Holzapfel/Sammler (HSC) def. Oo/Humphreys (RC): 8-0
2. Davis/MacFarland (HSC) def. Winkler/See (RC):8-3
3. Bowers/Polan (HSC) def. Dhondup/Greene (RC): 8-1
