Leopards Leap Over Garnet
Swarthmore faced its third consecutive Division I opponent in as many matches on Wednesday afternoon, falling 5-2 to the visiting Leopards from Lafayette College in the Michael Mullan Tennis Center.
Senior Brian Park claimed victory in both his singles and doubles matches by outlasting the Leopard opponents. Park and doubles' partner Zac Rodd '06, ranked fifth in the Atlantic South Region, out dueled Lafayette's Andrew Mott and Paul Guarino 9-8 (4).
Garnet junior Jon Reiss made quick work of Brett Warren at No. 2 singles, breezing to a 6-0, 6-3 victory, his second of the spring season.
Park needed more time to dispose of Guarino at No. 3 singles, using a clutch service ace to set up a match point that led to a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7) win.
Swarthmore (0-3) heads to California on Friday afternoon for its annual spring break excursion. The Garnet open up the trip at Division I St. Mary's (Ca.) on March 4, then head to 2005 Division III National Champion UC-Santa Cruz on March 6 before facing Division I foe UC-Davis on March 7 and Division II opponent Sonoma State on March 8. The Garnet return to Swarthmore on March 17, hosting Johns Hopkins at 3:00 p.m.