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Apr 18, 2008

Men's Tennis Has Strong Day 1 in SCIAC Tourney


The Whittier College men's tennis kicked off the 2008 SCIAC tournament in Claremont versus number two seed University of Redlands.

The first round matches are only played until the match is clinched, then all others still live are then stopped. The Bulldogs, ranked 7th in the nation, made quick work of the Poets in doubles and continued to do so in singles. The match was halted after #1 Ted Wyatt ‘11, #4 Lance Franey ‘09, #6 Danny Benesch ‘09 were quickly dismissed, thus clinching the match for Redlands with five points. Justin DeLong ‘10, Sean Robertson ‘10 and Denis Minaev ‘11 were having somewhat competitive matches until play was stopped.

"Perhaps the quick loss to Redlands was a blessing in disguise," suggested Coach Bojalad.

The Poets had fresh legs going into the afternoon match against #6 seed University of La Verne, who defeated Whittier early in the regular season 6-3.

The top doubles teams came out of the gates quickly. Then number one team of DeLong and Robertson played their best match and held serve throughout the match to win 8-6. Franey and Wyatt, rallied down 5-2 to go on to win six of the next seven games.

Singles play was equally as exciting. Robertson continues to impress, defeating the hard serving Alex Muresan 6-3, 6-3, using pinpoint returns, passing shots and a very efficient serve himself.

Minaev has been a rock for the Poets in the number five slot. He won 6-4, 7-5 and improves to 13-6 on the year.

Franey won the clinching match with a solid 7-5, 6-4 win at number four.  He has won six of his last nine matches.

"This match is an indication of the level of improvement we have achieved from the start of the season. This is always rewarding," said Bojalad.

The Poets play the Occidental College Tigers, who they lost 5-4 one week ago, 9:00 at the Upland Tennis club for a chance to finish 5th in the tournament.

Scores vs. Redlands

Doubles: 

  1. Wagar/Cook (UR) def. DeLong/Robertson (WC) 8-1
  2. Reading/Hasenyager (UR) def. Franey/Wyatt (WC) 8-2
  3. Hammond/Wong (UR) def. Johnson/Minaev (WC) 8-2

Singles: 

  1. Matt Liebman (UR) def. Ted Wyatt (WC) 6-0, 6-0
  2. Eric Wagar (UR) vs. Justin DeLong (WC) 6-1, 2-1 (unfinished)
  3. Mike Reading (UR) vs. Sean Robertson (WC) 6-3, 0-1 (unfinished)
  4. Aron Ouye (UR) def. Lance Franey (WC) 6-0, 6-1
  5. Chris Trippel (UR) vs. Denis Minaev (WC) 6-1, 3-0 (unfinished)
  6. Zach Hasenyager (UR) def. Danny Benesch (WC) 6-0, 6-1

Scores vs. ULV

Doubles: 

  1. DeLong/Robertson (WC) def. Muresan/Arreglado (ULV) 8-6
  2. Franey/Wyatt (WC) def. Backes/Delgado (ULV) 8-6
  3. Laygo/Mobley (ULV) def. Minaev/Johnson (WC) 8-6

Singles: 

  1. Mario Backes (ULV) def. Ted Wyatt (WC) 6-2, 6-1
  2. John Paul Arreglado (ULV) def. Justin DeLong (WC) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
  3. Sean Robertson (WC) def. Alex Muresan (ULV) 6-3, 6-3
  4. Lance Franey (WC) def. Adrian Laygo (ULV) 7-5, 6-4
  5. Denis Minaev (WC) def. Richard Delgado (ULV) 6-4, 7-5
  6. Evan Mobley (ULV) def. Danny Benesch (WC) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3