Garnet Tennis Rallies to Defeat Haverford 6-3, Clinch Spot in Centennial Playoffs
SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Visiting Haverford took a 2-1 lead following doubles play, but the Swarthmore College men's tennis team stormed back, sweeping singles 2-through-6 to overtake the Fords 6-3 from the Faulkner Courts on Tuesday evening.
The victory clinches the Garnet (8-9, 7-1) a spot in the upcoming Centennial Conference tournament.
Bressman finished the day 2-0 vs. the Fords.
Junior Mark Wee and sophomore Max Bressman both finished 2-0 for the day. Wee took No. 3 singles 6-4, 6-0 over Haverford's Will Garrett, Bressman won at the No. 4 slot 6-2, 6-3 over Natty Sergay, while the two combined to earn an 8-1 win at the No. 2 doubles position.
The Fords took the early advantage, taking two of three from the doubles competition, besting Swat in close 8-6 matches from the No. 1 and No. 3 positions.
Despite the early hole, the Garnet stormed back with vengance, taking singles No. 2 through No. 6 in consecutive order to win the match over the rival Fords. A victory at No. 3 singles by Wee sealed the win for Swat.
Sophomore Zak Kelm, freshman Malik Mubeen and freshman James Wieler all picked up convincing singles wins to lead the Garnet to victory.
Swarthmore will vie for the No. 2 seed in the Centennial Conference when it travels to Franklin & Marshall on Saturday.
Singles competition
1. Kevin Caulfield (HAVMTN) def. Stephen Youngblood (SWATMTN) 6-4, 1-6, 12-10
2. Zak Kelm (SWATMTN) def. Hailiu Yang (HAVMTN) 6-3, 6-0
3. Mark Wee (SWATMTN) def. Will Garrett (HAVMTN) 6-4, 6-0
4. Maxwell Bressman (SWATMTN) def. Natty Sergay (HAVMTN) 6-2, 6-3
5. Malik Mubeen (SWATMTN) def. Ankur Arya (HAVMTN) 6-0, 6-2
6. James Wieler (SWATMTN) def. Michael Gelberg (HAVMTN) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Kevin Caulfield/Danny Himelstein (HAVMTN) def. Zak Kelm/Stephen Youngblood (SWATMTN) 8-6
2. Mark Wee/Maxwell Bressman (SWATMTN) def. Will Garrett/Hailiu Yang (HAVMTN) 8-1
3. Michael Gelberg/Ankur Arya (HAVMTN) def. Malik Mubeen/James Wieler (SWATMTN) 8-6