Panthers (8-2) On The Rise!

Since our last update, the Panthers continue to steadily rise of our level of performance. On the first match of our spring break trip, we lost a battle to a strong DII program in Point Loma, but then have won four straight DIII matches! Our players love the competitive atmosphere each of our matches provided and are thriving in the big moments. We have gradually improved our doubles play, which will be key to supplementing our consistent singles attack!

Big Midd!

Point Loma (Midd lost 2-5)

Our first outdoor match of the year against a very strong DII opponent, but we came to play! Point Loma took the doubles point, but then we responded with solid efforts across the board in singles play. Senior captain Robby Ward earned the first point for the Panthers with an impressive 6-1, 6-4 victory at #4 singles. Julian Wu posted the second of our two points at #5 singles completing a come from behind effort to win in a super tiebreaker! Check out the box score here.

Julian Wu lining up a backhand rip.

Pomona-Pitzer (Midd won 8-1)

Our next spring break match was against #18 nationally ranked Pomona-Pitzer. They have a very deep roster and are a talented team we knew would come out firing. Our group thrived in the away atmosphere of the match and competed well in the doubles through some back-and-forth momentum shifts. Harris/Laber (#1 doubles) put the first point on the board with an 8-4 win followed by Wu/Yuan (#3 doubles) who secured an 8-6 victory serving out a key moment in the match giving us a big momentum boost headed into singles play. The Panthers went an impressive 6-0 in our lineup singles matches (also 2-0 in singles exhibition play), which is a formidable showing against this level of opponent. Five of the six victories came in straight sets including Laber (#1 Singles), Harris (#2 singles), Ward (#4 singles), Wu (#5 singles), and Yuan (#6 singles). At #5 singles, Epstein won by way of retirement in the third set due to an opponent injury bring back some memories of a rematch where he bested this same opponent in three sets the year before on our spring break trip.  Check out the box score here.

Aidan Harris popping a serve vs Pomona

Azusa Pacific (match cancelled due to rainy weather)

We look froward to renewing our annual matchup with DII powerhouse Azusa pacific on our 2024 Spring Break trip.

Johns Hopkins (Midd won 5-4)

In our most electric match so far this year, we used stellar singles play to overcome #9 nationally-ranked Hopkins. Buoyed by a key doubles win by Ward/Epstein (#2 doubles), we were able to enter singles play down only a single point. Even though the doubles did not go as much our way as we hoped, we took confidence in our singles strength up and down our lineup. Indeed, we attacked them from all six spots and came away with four points to earn the win and one of our two singles losses only coming in a super tiebreak fashion after the match had been clinched. Laber (#1 singles) continued his winning ways taking out the #6 ranked player in DIII in straight sets. Epstein (#3 singles), Wu (#5 singles), and Yuan (#6 singles) also all shined earning straight set victories to secure the Middlebury triumph. Check out the box score here.

Wesleyan (Midd won 8-1)

In one of our most complete performances of the season to date, our squad came out hot from start to finish in this one. Wesleyan was ranked #16 nationally, but we came out poised and playing well and won all three doubles matches: Harris/Laber (#1 doubles 8-6), Epstein/Ward (#2 doubles 8-5), and Mairs/Wu (#3 doubles, 8-2). The gang kept things rolling in singles not dropping more than 3 games in a set at #1 singles (Laber), and #3 through #6 singles (Epstein, Ward, Wu, and Yuan). Great day to be a Panther! Check out the box score here.

Conn College (Midd won 9-0)

Not wanting to slow our moment, the Panthers demonstrated our impressive depth winning all 12 matches played (including exhibitions at #4 doubles and #7-8 singles). It was great to see some of our young players get a lineup NESCAC win including #4 singles (Nathan Jackson) and #5 singles (Hugh Hentschel) both earning decisive straight set results. Check out the box score here.

Coaching staff in full force!

Upcoming Schedule (Alumni Match Coming Up!)

Check out our remaining regular season schedule below. Alumni, please mark down April 22nd for our Alumni Match Day! Hope to see many of you there! 

Go Midd!

- Middlebury Tennis Coaching Staff