Panthers (16-6) Win NESCAC Championship, NCAA Bracket Released

What a weekend! The Panthers won three matches against top ranked opponents on back-to-back-to-back days to take the NESCAC crown. It was the 9^th NESCAC title earned by Middlebury Men’s Tennis, and it was a sweet victory where we were able to take down two opponents that had beaten us during the regular season earlier in the month. Even better, we captured the title while competing in front of our supportive home fans at the Proctor Tennis Courts. The coaching staff was proud of our group as we continue to get better and gain confidence throughout our entire lineup, but of course will keep our sights set on continuing to learn and improve heading into NCAA tournament play.

A huge part of our culture is JOY! 

Quarterfinal Tufts Match Highlights

We knew that Tufts was a very dangerous team after having played them earlier in the season, and we were right! The match took place indoors at Nelson Arena. Tufts played some very solid doubles at #2 and #3 doubles, but the Panthers were buoyed by a rock solid 8-5 win by Cuba/Martin at the #1 doubles position to keep us in striking distance. Our singles play then carried the day with straight set wins by Cuba (#1 singles), Farrell (#2 singles), Guo (#4 singles), and Eazor (#5 singles). Stan Morris (#6 singles) was also not far behind with his match getting stopped when he was up a set and a break. Full match recap can be read here. With our first NESCAC match under our belt, the Panthers were fired up to try to avenge our regular season loss to Wesleyan in the next round.

Semifinal Wesleyan Match Highlights

Having lost to Wesleyan 6-3 earlier in the season, we were thrilled at an opportunity to play them again. Having been down 2-1 after doubles last time, we planned to use this match as an opportunity to get our doubles back on track. Although we lost a very tight tiebreak decision at #1 doubles, the Panthers played some very high level tennis to secure two tough doubles victories. Vanezis/Farrell (#2 doubles) won by a score of 8-5 and Xiao/Eazor (#3 doubles) took their match 8-7(7) in an absolute war. After grabbing momentum heading into singles play, we knew we had to stay focused against a tough Wesleyan opponent. The Panthers did exactly that, as we found three straight set victories from Cuba (#1 singles), Guo (#4 singles), and Eazor (#5 singles). Again, Morris (#6 singles) was up a set and about to enter a second set tiebreaker when play was stopped. The full match recap is here. It was a great match against a tough opponent, and provided our team with increased confidence heading into the final round where would face another opponent that had clipped us during the regular season.  

Finals Amherst Match Highlights

The coaching staff has always felt that this group was capable of playing a special level of tennis at each spot in the lineup, and the Panthers proved us right as we put together our most complete performance of the year against a very strong Amherst team. The Panthers again got off to a 2-1 lead after doubles behind an 8-2 win from Eazor/Xiao (#3 doubles) and an amazing come from behind tiebreak win 8-7(7) by Vanezis/Farrell (#2 doubles) who were down four match points in a row during the tiebreaker before storming back to victory! That match swung the momentum clearly in our favor, and our singles group went to work! Winning all six first sets at #1-6 singles, we took firm control of the match. Taking out another top-ranked opponent, Cuba (#1 singles) won another straight set match versus a very good opponent for the third day in a row. Lubo simply loves the postseason! Next off the court was Eazor at #5 singles, winning his match 6-4, 6-0. And then clinching the team victory for the Panthers, Farrell earned a 6-2, 6-1 decision to complete our journey to the 2019 NESCAC title! Read the full match recap here. 

A sweet victory! Nothing like celebrating a win on our home courts!

NCAA Tournament

After taking the NESCAC title, the Panthers remain hungry and excited for our final postseason tournament. We are the overall #3 seed in the NCAA draw, and we now have a total of 5 possible matches in front of us on our path toward competing for an NCAA title. You can see the bracket by clicking here. We will take each match, one at a time, and plan to cherish each opportunity that we have left to compete together! Our full potential postseason schedule is listed below.

Live scoring/streaming for the regional rounds of the tournament can be found on our team schedule page.

Date                Time               Opponent                               Location

5/10                 11am               NCAA Round of 32                Middlebury, VT

5/11                 10am               NCAA Round of 16                Middlebury, VT

5/20-5/22        TBD                NCAA Final Rounds              Kalamazoo, MI

5/23-5/25        TBD                NCAA Individuals                  Kalamazoo, MI

It’s time! Go Midd!

The Middlebury Men's Tennis Coaching Staff

p.s. The snacks shout out for NESCACs goes to the Eazor's and the Gregory's! Thank you!