Posted: Mar 25, 2010
Roanoke's Men's Tennis team improved their record to 5-4, (4-2 ODAC) in a busy week of conference play. The Maroons beat Lynchburg and Virginia Wesleyan early in the week before falling to a tough Hampden Sydney squad.
In the first match up of the week the Maroons squeaked past a pesky Lynchburg squad 5-4. Roanoke's top three singles players Jon Roy (Greensboro, NC, Grimsley), Sam Sherrill (Southborough, MA, St. Mark's), and Alex Lyons (Topsfield, MA, St. Johns Prep)all handled their opponents in decisive fashion. Not to be outdone however were the #4, #5, and #6 players for the Hornets who evened the score at three all going into doubles play.
Roanoke's #1 doubles team, made up of Roy and Sherrill, dominated 8-1 while the #2 pairing of Lyons and Matt Nadolny (Fairfield, CT, Fairfield Ludlowe)fell to Lynchburg's Brandon Brown and Brian Nelson 8-6, setting the stage for the match deciding #3 doubles game. James Lee (Radnor, PA, Radnor)and Minot Amory (Palm Beach, FL, Canterbury)came through in the clutch, winning the tilt 8-6 to secure a team victory for the Maroons.
Three days later the men were back in action again taking on the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan in Virginia Beach. The top four singles players all won taking a 4-2 advantage into doubles action.
Roanoke's #1 and #2 doubles pairings rolled to victory 8-4, 8-2 respectively while two new faces teamed up in #3 doubles for the Maroons. Ralph Migliarese (Roanoke, VA, Hidden Valley)and Matt Osman (Roseland, NJ, West Essex Regional)wrapped up the afternoon with an 8-4 victory. The 7-2 final put the Maroons at 4-1 in ODAC play going into Monday's matchup with an undefeated Hampden Sydney squad.
The Tigers, ranked 13th in the ITA Atlantic South Region Poll, cruised past the Maroons 7-2 to improve to 7-0, (5-0). Roanoke's bright spot came in the form of #2 singles player Sherrill. Sherrill defeated previously undefeated Rich Pugh 6-2, 6-4 to give the Maroons their only singles win of the contest.
Sherrill was not done however as he and Roy teamed up in #1 doubles to take down the Tigers William Moss, and Rich Pugh 8-6. With the win Roy and Sherrill handed Moss and Pugh their first doubles loss of the season. The duo of Roy and Sherrill are undefeated in ODAC play in doubles (5-0) while 8-1 overall this season.
Next for the Maroons is a matchup against the Wildcats of Randolph College. Match is scheduled for April 1st at 4pm on the campus of Roanoke College.
