The Washington University men’s tennis team opened the 2007 season with a 5-4 win over Division I University of Dayton on Saturday afternoon at the Creve Coeur Racquet Club.
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“Win or lose, we got better today,” said WU head coach Roger Follmer, the 2006 Wilson/ITA Division III National Coach of the Year. “All the three-setters today we played today will make us a better team.”
The Bears, ranked No. 8 in the ITA Division III Fall Rankings, jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles play. Sophomores Charlie Cutler and Chris Hoeland posted an 8-5 win at the No.1 spot, while sophomores Trevis Bowman and Nirmal Choradia won 8-5 at the No. 2 spot.
In singles, Washington U. won the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots to clinch the season-opening victory over the Flyers. Choradia posted a hard fought 6-4, 6-7 (9-7), 6-1 victory over Michael Rohana at No. 3, while freshman Danny Levy won 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 at No. 4.
Junior Charlie Howard capped the victory for the Bears with a 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 7-5 come from behind victory over Matt Sherman at No. 5 singles. Howard, who trailed 5-2 in the third set, fought back three match points to even the final set at 5-5. He broke Sherman’s serve to take the 6-5 lead, then clinched the match by holding serve in the 12th game.
“This is a huge win for our program,” Howard said. “We all competed hard and everybody improved. These kinds of matches will help us as we get into conference and nationals.”
Freshman John Watts, who is ranked No. 3 in Division III in singles, dropped a 6-2, 6-2 decision to Tom Murphy at No. 1 singles. Dayton (1-4), who defeated St. Louis University 4-3 on Friday, also picked up victories at No. 2 and 6 singles, and No. 3 doubles.
Washington University (1-0) returns to action Sat., February 17 at Division I Purdue University. The match is set to begin at 3 p.m. in West Lafayette, Ind.