Middlebury saw its hopes of winning a seventh NESCAC Men's Tennis Championship come up short, as the team fell to by a 5-1 score during the final of the 2014 NESCAC Tournament hosted by Bowdoin. Played on Sunday afternoon, the match was moved indoors to Maine Pines.
The Lord Jeffs, ranked #4 in the latest ITA national poll, improve to 31-3 this season with the victory and avenge their only NESCAC loss of the season. Middlebury, ranked third nationally, falls to 18-3. Amherst, who claims its third NESCAC title in the last four years and sixth crown overall, receives the NESCAC's at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Middlebury is assured of an at-large bid when selections are announced Monday night.
Amherst scored three of the five points needed for the win during doubles play. Joey Fritz and Justin Reindel defeated Alex Johnston and Andrew Lebovitz by an 8-5 score in the top flight, just moments before Michael Solimano and Anton Zykov defeated Ari Smolyar and Peter Heidrich via an 8-4 decision at #3. In the second flight, the Lord Jeff duo of Andrew Yaraghi and Aaron Revzin completed the sweep with an 8-5 victory against Brantner Jones and Palmer Campbell.
Jackson Frons of Middlebury got the Panthers on the board at #6 singles, earning a 6-4, 6-1 victory against Russell Einbinder. The Lord Jeffs regained their three-point margin thanks to Fritz, who captured a straight-set win at #1, 6-4, 6-4. Yaraghi sealed the win for Amherst by edging Smolyar 6-0, 7-5 at #4 to give the Jeffs the title.
In the three unfinished matches, Middlebury was up a set at #5, Amherst won the opening set at #3 and #2 stood at one set apiece.
Amherst 5, Middlebury 1
Singles competition
1. Joey Fritz (AMH) def. Alex Johnston (MID) 6-4, 6-4
2. Michael Solimano (AMH) def. Brantner Jones (MID) 6-2, 2-6, 1-0
3. Palmer Campbell (MID) vs. Anton Zykov (AMH) 7-6, 0-3, unfinished
4. Andrew Yaraghi (AMH) def. Ari Smolyar (MID) 6-0, 7-5
5. Courney Mountifield (MID) vs. Justin Reindel (AMH) 2-6, 2-4, unfinished
6. Jackson Frons (MID) def. Russell Einbinder (AMH) 6-4, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Joey Fritz/Justin Reindel (AMH) def. Alex Johnston/Andrew Lebovitz (MID) 8-5
2. Andrew Yaraghi/Aaron Revzin (AMH) def. Brantner Jones/Palmer Campbell (MID) 8-5
3. Michael Solimano/Anton Zykov (AMH) def. Ari Smolyar/Peter Heidrich (MID) 8-4
