ST. LOUIS, MO. – In their first on campus match of the spring, the No. 15 Washington University in St. Louis men's tennis team took care of business by sweeping the visiting Panthers of Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday at the Tao Tennis Courts. KWU is an NCAA Div. II opponent.
Even with the wind gusting back and forth across the courts, the Bears started strong in doubles. Senior
Colin Fox and first-year
Jeremy Sieben took control for a 6-0 win at number one doubles. Sophomore
Drew Koval and first-year
Spencer Yamamoto clinched the doubles point with their 6-2 win at number three doubles.
Junior
Nathan Tam and first-year
Hans Deng completed the doubles sweep with their 6-4 win at number two doubles.
A quick break before singles did not slow down WashU as Deng put the Bears ahead 2-0 with his 6-0, 6-1 win at number four. Tam brought WashU closer to victory with his 6-1, 6-1 win at number three singles.
Sophomore
Coleman Merce stepped up at number two singles, securing both his personal win and the match for the Bears, 6-0, 6-2.
Now up 4-0, Fox continued to win for WashU with his 6-4, 6-4 victory at number one, while junior
Daniel Radke claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win at number five singles.
Yamamoto made quick work in his first set 6-2 at number six before dropping the lone set of the match for the Bears, 7-6. With the match already decided, he played a match tie-break in lieu of a full third set. After going back-and-forth with his Panther opponent, he completed the sweep for WashU with a 10-7 match tie-break win.
The Bears will be on the road in Texas next week for their annual Spring Break trip. First up for WashU will be a tough test against No. 14 Trinity (TX) in San Antonio at 10 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 9.
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