The Yellowjackets continued their hot streak to end the regular season, sealing a 7-0 win against Hamilton College last Saturday. This win secured a seven game winning streak.
This finale was especially sweet since some players recovered from certain ailments to finish the season with a bang.
“I think the win over Hamilton was a good win because some people took some days off from being sick and for injuries,” senior Josh Bruce-Black said. “So it was good to see the whole team back in action and playing well.”
To start things off, sophomore Eric Hansen found little trouble playing at No. 1 singles. Despite losing three games in the first set, Hansen easily beat Dan Gordon in six consecutive games in the second set. He won, 6-3, 6-0.
He later teamed up with sophomore Thanos Kantarelis at No. 1 doubles. They make a good team and played hard against Gordon and Reid Snyder, Hamilton’s No. 1 doubles team, winning with the final score of 8-6.
Senior Eric Prince made his presence felt at No. 3 singles. Falling a few games behind in his two sets against Jared Friedburg, Prince bounced back with a few significant breaks. He defeated his opponent, 6-3, 6-4. He also won at No. 2 doubles with freshman Jeff Titcombe in 11 games.
These two wins mark a milestone for Prince. A true UR champion, he has not lost a home match in his four years as a Yellowjacket. April Fool’s Day almost beguiled him to a loss when he faced Wesleyan University at No. 2 doubles with Titcombe. The match was Prince’s closest call, although the partners squeezed past their opponents in a 9-8 win.
“He has never been defeated on UR home courts in his four years, a record most of us can’t touch,” Hansen said. “He has been great all season, but especially down the stretch.”
Bruce-Black also made an impressive win at No. 4 singles after a week of absence from a foot injury. The injury didn’t seem to bother him at all and he defeated Hamilton’s Brad Polan in two sets, 6-0, 6-2.
At No. 5 singles, sophomore Aaron Gettinger attacked relentlessly against John Pew. He became the sole Yellowjacket to sweep his opponent, 6-0, 6-0.
He has improved dramatically this season, stepping up when several former UR veterans left the team. He posted a 12-13 record in singles this season.
Junior and newcomer Michael Burger also played well at No. 6 singles. He had an relatively easy first set, dropping only one game to Mark Segal. Despite a tight second set, Burger dispelled any hope for Segal to win by stopping a rally to force a tiebreaker, winning 6-1, 7-5.
This weekend will be a handful for the team, as they travel down south to Emory University for the University Athletic Association Championships. The team anticipates to provide a good show in Atlanta.
“I expect us to have a strong finish at UAAs and win most of our matches,” Bruce-Black said. “Anything less than third place would be a disappointment.”
Lee can be reached at alee@campustimes.org.
