Tiffin, Ohio - September 30, 2010 – A balanced attack from its veterans and newcomers assisted the Heidelberg University men’s tennis team in posting a 7-2 non-conference victory over Defiance College on Thursday. Thursday’s match was the season opener for both teams.
Heidelberg’s tennis season is traditionally in the Spring, but play a handful of matches in the fall to assist in preparation for its Ohio Athletic Conference schedule. Next up is Wittenberg University on Saturday. The Berg will travel with the women’s team for a 10:00 a.m. match with the Tigers.
Defiance got on the board first with a win at first doubles, but junior Patrick Ryan Earl (Madison, Ohio / Madison) paired up with freshman Zachary Schwenning (Barberton, Ohio / Barberton) to even the match with an 8-4 win at second doubles. The freshmen duo of Dorion Kempf (Galion, Ohio / Galion) and Matthew McDivitt (Cortland, Ohio / Lakeview) gave Heidelberg the lead at 2-1 after blanking Defiance at third doubles.
Heidelberg went on to post wins in five of six singles matches. Picking up their second win on the day in straight sets was Earl (6-0, 6-2) at third singles and McDivitt (6-0, 6-0) at sixth singles.
Also earning a win in straight sets was junior Cliff Goetz (Oak Harbor, Ohio / Oak Harbor). Goetz won in the second single spot, 6-0, 6-2.
Posting a hard fought win at fourth singles was Schwenning. He won the first set 6-1 before falling 6-4. Schwenning bounced back to take set three 6-2 for the win.
Kempf worked out of a deficit to earn his first collegiate victory. He fell 6-3 in the first set and returned to post a 6-4 win in set two followed by a 7-5 win in set three for the match victory.