Spring Break
MEN'S TENNIS: Bowdoin derails squad's promising early run
by Ian Cutler
Sports Editor
Sports | 10/9/07
Posted online at 9:54 PM EST on 10/8/07
/ Last updated at 3:10 PM EST on 10/8/07
After several strong performances to start the season, the young men's tennis team received a harsh welcome to elite Division III tennis Thursday.
Just one week after coach Ben Lamanna said this match against Bowdoin College was "the biggest match of the season," the Judges fell flat, failing to win even a single set in a 9-0 defeat. The loss dropped the team's record to 1-1 on the season.
The Judges also competed at the Stonehill College Tournament last weekend. Steven Nieman '11 had the best finish, winning his eight-person No. 2 singles draw, while Scott Schulman '09 and Jason Sacher '11 reached the finals of their draws at No. 3 and No. 4 singleas, respectively.
In their previous matches, the Judges, who started the season with new players filling all six of their top singles spots, showed promise. They dominated Bentley College 9-0 Sept. 19 and played several close matches against Division I competition at the Brown Invitational Sept. 14 to 16.
Bowdoin is one of Division III's premier tennis programs and is coming off its eighth straight appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament. Brandeis hasn't defeated the Polar Bears in Lamanna's three-year tenure as coach.
"I don't know why I schedule matches up [at Bowdoin] anymore," Lamanna said. "But it was a wake up call for us."
Simon Miller '11 came closest to notching a victory at No. 1 singles, but was unable to win the key points in his match. He reached a tiebreaker in the first set against Bowdoin senior Garrett Gates, but lost 7-0 and proceeded to lose the second set 6-4.
David Silver '11, playing in his first-ever collegiate match, was the only other player to even win more than three games in a set, losing to Bowdoin sophomore Matt Kins 6-4, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.
Lamanna attributed the Judges' struggles to a lack of concentration.
"We can't flip out mentally," Lamanna said. "We have to stay on an even track, an even keel. You have to be mentally tough, [and] this wasn't mentally tough."
Just one week after coach Ben Lamanna said this match against Bowdoin College was "the biggest match of the season," the Judges fell flat, failing to win even a single set in a 9-0 defeat. The loss dropped the team's record to 1-1 on the season.
The Judges also competed at the Stonehill College Tournament last weekend. Steven Nieman '11 had the best finish, winning his eight-person No. 2 singles draw, while Scott Schulman '09 and Jason Sacher '11 reached the finals of their draws at No. 3 and No. 4 singleas, respectively.
In their previous matches, the Judges, who started the season with new players filling all six of their top singles spots, showed promise. They dominated Bentley College 9-0 Sept. 19 and played several close matches against Division I competition at the Brown Invitational Sept. 14 to 16.
Bowdoin is one of Division III's premier tennis programs and is coming off its eighth straight appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament. Brandeis hasn't defeated the Polar Bears in Lamanna's three-year tenure as coach.
"I don't know why I schedule matches up [at Bowdoin] anymore," Lamanna said. "But it was a wake up call for us."
Simon Miller '11 came closest to notching a victory at No. 1 singles, but was unable to win the key points in his match. He reached a tiebreaker in the first set against Bowdoin senior Garrett Gates, but lost 7-0 and proceeded to lose the second set 6-4.
David Silver '11, playing in his first-ever collegiate match, was the only other player to even win more than three games in a set, losing to Bowdoin sophomore Matt Kins 6-4, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.
Lamanna attributed the Judges' struggles to a lack of concentration.
"We can't flip out mentally," Lamanna said. "We have to stay on an even track, an even keel. You have to be mentally tough, [and] this wasn't mentally tough."
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