Slugs Roll over Swarthmore!

In a match that always brings fond memories of our first NCAA National Team Championship, the Slugs renewed their long rivalry with Swarthmore College in and 8-1 home victory. In our first action since ITA National Indoors it was great to see the steady growth of our team. We opened the match with dominant performances at 1 and 3 doubles where we have gotten solid efforts all season. Senior Brian Pybas and Soph Parker Larsen won 8-2 at one doubles and Sophs Erik Rosner and Ian Stanley won 8-1 at three. Both teams looked sharp, focused and aggressive as they continue to mesh. At two doubles Soph Erich Konig and Frosh Chris Goetz got out to an early lead but ended up losing in a breaker. They have been playing only a short time together and although I am very proud of their work together and practice effort, they still have a ways to go. Erich hurt his knee near the end of the match and sat out the singles forcing several players to move up in singles. They moved up and stepped up! Brian got us on the board first with a 6-2,6-2 win at one singles. He continues to lead in both singles and doubles and his experience and leadership will be key as the season progresses. Parker Larsen who moved up to two singles, continues to show improvement in his movement, technique and tactics in a solid 6-4,6-2 win. At three singles Andre Halabi moved up and won the last match on in a breaker for the third. All areas of his game continue to grow and his courage to play more aggressively is leading the way. At four singles Erik Rosner was called into duty and responded beautifully with a 6-2,6-1 victory showcasing his improved movement and consistency. At five singles warrior Sam Rodgers competed fiercely in a 6-4,6-2 win. At six singles Ian Stanley showed his improved play of late dominating his match 6-0,6-2 with an impressive blend of offense and consistency. In exhibition singles Bryce Bettwy and Yushi Aybe won convincingly and showed marked growth and improvement.

Overall a wonderful outing and great preparation for our next big match this Saturday against the Bulldogs of Redlands which will be at home at 10:00am. We will play our second team against Foothill College in the afternoon and I look forward to watching all our team play. We would love to have as many of you as possible out to this match against one of our main regional rivals. Thanks again to all of you for your love and support. Sincerely, Coaches Hansen and Seeberger and the Men of Slug Tennis