COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Fresh off its highest regional ranking in school history, the Ursinus College men's tennis team snagged an 8-1 Centennial Conference victory over Gettysburg in its outdoor home opener Saturday afternoon.
The Bears (8-3, 1-2), ranked 17th in the ITA Atlantic South, lost only at number two doubles, where Gettysburg (2-5, 0-2) got a 9-8 (4) win from Kevin DeRosa and Kevin Maier.
Ursinus was otherwise dominant in doubles – junior Max Oberholtzer and sophomore Paul Vecchio shut out Christian Deschapelles and Nick D'Amore at number one, and senior Henry Burke and freshman Connor DeFaber-Schumacher defeated Aiden Egglin and Rob Sharpe by an 8-3 count at third doubles.
Singles play proved competitive, and the Bears needed to overcome first-set losses on two courts to secure a sweep. Burke and Shields did the comeback honors – Burke toughed out a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 decision opposite Maier at fourth singles, while Shields edged Andrew Corwin 2-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-8) at fifth.
Oberholtzer posted a 6-4, 6-0 win against Deschapelles on the top court, and Vecchio downed DeRosa 7-6 (4), 6-4 in the second flight.
Senior Chanton Phan won 6-3, 6-1 over D'Amore at number three singles, and Hodess closed the proceedings with a 7-5, 6-1 defeat of Egglin at number six.
After its first conference victory of the season, the Bears go for another when Muhlenberg comes to the Bailey Courts for a 4 p.m. matchup on Wednesday, April 5.
