Numbers one and two Stephen Harris and Will Moss combined for our three points as they went undefeated at #'s 1, 2 and 1 doubles last Saturday.  Both play a mature and intelligent style marked by few errors.  That style works well!  Other matches went very close with #4 Mike Kim, Stefan Dudley at #5, and #6 Drew Benjamin losing in third set tie-breakers. 

Despite the cold and some early season jitters, both teams played well exhibiting strong sportsmanship!

A solid win for Proctor tennis is puncutuated by a "W" for Stefan Dudley at #5 who found a strategy that unlocked his best tennis: after dropping the opening set, Stefan shifted tactics and took the match in a third set tie-breaker.  Other notable moments included Stiles Alpeter's first ever match where he stood in for a tired Stephen Harris at #1 doubles with partner and #3 Nathaniel Herring.  Nate and Stiles worked well together, bringing a fair amount of athleticism into the match.  Both players' quickness nearly overcame the experience of the Dublin #s 1 and 2 before losing 7-9 in steady rain. 

Dublin and Proctor both exhibited great spirit and sportsmanship on this less than ideal tennis day!

Naturally, a win might have made the day perfect, but we played well and kept it close.  Our first point came from Nathaniel Herring, our gritty all-court player, who was just too consistent for his Holderness foe.  Drew Benjamin took our next point, playing all match before winning at #6 singles 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3).  Our doubles win came from the number 3 spot: newcomers Jordan Moore and Connor Simon played to a fast-moving 8-3 win.  Their reflexes and net play pull them through!  #5 Stefan Dudley played an awesome match that he eventually lost in a tie-break, as did Stephen Harris our number 1 who lost in his final set, 4-6.

The guys are progressing well as a team.  Numerous exhibition matches showed that new guys are moving in the right direction.
Thanks to Marnie, Will's Mom, for the snacks and traveling fan base!

Match of the day might go to #5 Mike Kim for his loss, 5-7, 5-7 or to Stefan Dudley for his triumph at #6, 7-5, 6-0.  We cannot ignore the great work of Justin Pasculano at #4 for his win, 6-2, 6-1.  Justin is slowly building a streak of wins that will go unnamed for now so as not to jinx him!  Keep at it!  Will Moss kept his strong match record alive, as well, with a straight set win.  Both Justin and Will play with a form of tenacious consistency that wins!  They are models for the old saying: "It is not about how hard you hit it!"  In doubles it was the teams of Moore/Simon at #3 and Moss/Pasculano at #2 that found the final wins to seal the deal at 5 matches to 4 for Proctor!  Moore and Simon are new to the team, but have already become regulars who find ways to win.

Rivaling the perfect breezeless, black flyless, 78 degree weather was the excellent sportsmanship!  Thanks to the Rams for their effort!

Big wins from #6 singles player Benjamin, #3 Pasculano, and #2 Moss were great!  All three players outsteadied their opponents in different but effective ways: Drew used a surprisingly steady backhand, Pasculano used deep penetrating shots, and Moss had a combination of speed and backboard-like consistency.  As one player observed after the match, "Our steady players all won."  There is a lesson there!

All in all it was great match against a well-mannered and coached team.  It was unfortunate to come up on the losing end of this one, when we all played well enough to win.

Number 1 Stephen Harris played particularly well in his loss at #1, losing 5-7, 3-6.  #4 Mike Kim and #3 Nathaniel Herring also played well in losses to talented opponents.  All matches were played in the truest spirit of sportsmanship.  I applaud the guys in their efforts despite the score as the afternoon progressed.  This group is among the best with which I have worked in my fourteen years at Proctor.

CANCELED