The Justice

Media Credit: David Sheppard-Brick Steven Nieman '08 hits a forehand during a No. 2 singles match against University Athletic Association foe University of Rochester last Saturday.

As the No. 1 men's tennis doubles match against the University of Rochester last Saturday entered its final stages, the score was tied at seven and had not seen a break of serve. That was until a desperation lob shot by Scott Schulman '09 from his toes dropped in behind 6-foot-4-inch rookie Ryan Kovaleski, giving Schulman and partner Simon Miller an 8-7 lead.

"We stepped it up at 7-7 in a close game when we had to," Miller said. "We placed our returns a little better, and that game that we broke was probably our best game."

Schulman then fired an ace to close out the next game, giving the pair a 9-7 win en route to a Judges 6-3 victory over their University Athletic Association rivals. They are now 4-4 this spring after a 9-0 loss to Division I Boston College last Sunday, in which three of their original six starters did not play due to injuries.

The women's team defeated Rochester 8-1 last Saturday and is now 4-3, including last Tuesday's 5-4 loss to Babson College.

The men's team victory came with a cost, however. Miller suffered an Achilles tendon strain in his No. 1 singles match and did not play against Boston College. Coach Ben Lamanna said there is no timetable for his return.

"It's a huge loss for whatever amount of time he's out," Steven Nieman '11 said. "We really need him for singles, doubles and the overall atmosphere here at Brandeis. He really brings a lot of attitude and a lot of energy."

Schulman suffered a stress fracture in his shin and also sat out against Boston College, but Lamanna said he should play this weekend. The two joined Alex Neystat '10, who will miss the rest of the season and will likely have knee surgery this summer, and replacement Dor Almog '11, who has a hamstring problem, on the sidelines against Boston College.

The injuries forced Ian Reichek '11 and David Roffman '10, both of whom are normally reserves, into the lineup at No. 3 doubles against Boston College. They fell to sophomore Brian Garber and rookie Brendon Wong 8-1. In singles, no Brandeis player was even able to take a set off the Eagles in the loss.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools