Panthers (9-2): Battle Tested After Spring Break Heading Into NESCAC Play

We are now just on the other side of our spring break and heading into more NESCAC play starting this weekend! Before we outline our schedule ahead, we want to take a stab at summarizing our six matches in seven days during our stint in SoCal. It was a whirlwind of challenge and fun, and our group continues to rise and demonstrate our potential to be a fierce and dangerous squad as we move through our journey this year. We won four out of our six matches last week, and even more importantly grew our collective resilience and confidence for what lies ahead! The coaches have been continually impressed by our group’s doubles play (we have gained a lead after doubles in every DIII matchup so far this year) and our collective ability to enjoy challenging competitive moments. Beyond the courts, we enjoyed living in SoCal for the week getting a chance to spend some time at the beach, eat a lot of tacos, and most importantly solidified the bonds that bind our group that only get fully cemented when traveling together.

Always a good day to BE GREAT!

All smiles!

More smiles!

Alumni Weekend

We want to highlight and remind our alumni that our alumni weekend matches will take place on April 27-28. We cannot wait to see many of you there!

University of Redlands (Midd won 8-1)

We wasted no time diving into a competitive matchup playing the very next day after we arrived in CA against an opponent that is historically challenging to face on the road. After kicking things off with a 2-1 doubles lead, highlighted by #2 doubles (Harris/Laber) posting a quick 8-1 proset to get things rolling, we then proceeded to sweep all six singles matches winning four in straight sets and two in third sets. See full box score here.

Aidan Harris and Noah Laber!

Chapman University (Midd won 7-2) and Hope International University (Midd won 9-0)

The very next day we took on both Chapman and Hope International on the same day. It was an excellent day for the Panthers where nearly everyone on our roster earned a win during the day whether in the matches or additional exhibition matches. A day like this highlighted our team depth throughout and our hunger to take advantage of all opportunities to compete and learn.

Box scores can be seen here and here respectively. 

Julian Wu and Joe Mairs!

Robby Ward!

Azusa Pacific University (Midd lost 4-1)

Playing a perennial DII powerhouse, Azusa Pacific, we knew we were in for a fun battle. We played all DI rules and the doubles was an intense fight. Our group’s doubles charge was again led by #2 doubles (Harris/Laber) who posted a 6-3 win. Unfortunately, APU took the other two doubles flights but we definitely had our noses in there. In singles play, we fought until the nd but came up just short. Panther highlights included #4 singles (Aidan Harris) who posted a straight set win as well as #2 singles (Julian Wu) and #5 singles (Neel Epstein) who both had commanding leads before play was stopped as the match was clinched. Box score can be seen here.

Neel Epstein balling!

Julian Wu balling!

Pomona-Pitzer (Midd won 8-1)

After a couple of days without scheduled matches, we continued to bring our best on the courts kicking off this match with a doubles sweep! Winning at #1-3 doubles, we put pressure on PP immediately heading into singles play perhaps highlighted by a decisive 8-2 win at #1 doubles (Ward/Epstein). The group never slowed down even for a minute. Winning four matches in straight sets and one in three, the Panthers displayed that our ability to hit from all aspects of the lineup to put points on the board!  See the full box score here.

Neel Epstein and Robby Ward!

CMS (Midd lost 4-3)

Heading into a tough place to play against another top nationally ranked opponent, we could not wait to see how we would stack up against the competition. The match did not disappoint.  We played DI scoring format in this matchup because of the ability to do so if both teams agree well in advance, in preparation to get used to this type of format for future years (it seems to be on its way to DIII tennis soon). The Panthers kicked things off in style by winning all three doubles sets, including a nice come from behind effort at #3 doubles (Wu/Lewis). Heading into singles play with a 1-0 lead, we knew we had to keep going. We took our momentum from doubles and won 4 first sets, but CMS dug their heels in and we had a fight on our hands throughout. The Panthers singles play was highlighted by wins at #5 singles (Epstein) and a three-set winning effort at #2 singles (Wu). Unfortunately, CMS turned around two matches in three set battles to provide them with a narrow 4-3 win. Although the taste of a loss can be bitter, our group remains poised and on the path. We know that neither wins nor losses will define us, but rather our ability to move forward continuing to grow, improve, and prepare for what lies ahead. There is simply no joy better than competing together, and we cannot wait for more dual match battles ahead soon! Check out the box score here.

Nikky Kondamuri and Nathan Jackson!

Thehan Wijemanne!

Upcoming Schedule (NOTE: ALUMNI WEEKEND IS APRIL 27-28)

Next up on our journey is our NESCAC conference play where we will continue to face many of the top DIII teams in the nation. Let’s go!!! Check it out below.

Go Midd!

- Middlebury Tennis Coaching Staff