Men's Tennis Bounces Back Against Newbury on Senior Day
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's tennis team got back on the winning track on Thursday afternoon with an 8-1 victory over Newbury College in New England Collegiate Conference action at the Mitchell Tennis Courts.
The Mariners (8-1 overall, 8-1 NECC) started the contest with a 2-0 lead as Newbury forfeited matches at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. Mitchell made quick work of the Nighthawks (1-8 overall, 1-7 NECC) at the other two doubles spots to take a 4-0 lead into the five remaining singles matches.
Freshman Rajan Bawa set the tone at the top singles spot, defeating Gerard Font-Raventos without dropping a game. Junior Randy Coons followed suit with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 5 against Josh Seekins while senior Alexander Fusco posted a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 3 against John Morgan.
Two singles matches were decided with a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a third set. Newbury's lone point came thanks to a strong effort from Wayne Gethers, who topped junior Timothy Atkinson by scores of 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 1-0 (10-7) at the No. 4 position. Senior Andrew Small came out on top in the other tiebreaker, beating Ben Weiner by finals of 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (12-10) at the No. 2 spot.
Prior to the match, Fusco and Small were honored in a senior day ceremony. The duo has helped the Mariners to three straight NECC Championships.
Mitchell will wrap up regular season conference play at Wheelock College on Saturday, April 21 at 4 p.m.