2008 Woodie Awards
Doubles struggles knock men out of tourney
Luke Ryan
Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Sports
While the weather forced the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament to move indoors, the controlled conditions did not help the Warhawk men's tennis team advance, as their season came to an end after a 5-1 loss to the University of Texas-Tyler.
From the top singles matches on down, the UT-Tyler Patriots were in control all day. The No. 1 singles match featured a face-off between two players enjoying impressive seasons. Even though UW-Whitewater's Alex Lowe entered the match with his third straight 20-win season, UT-Tyler's Dustin Phillips countered with a .800 winning percentage, and prevailed in consecutive sets in the premiere matchup, 6-3, 6-1.
Many of the 'Hawks shared the same fate as Lowe. Danny Glinert fell in the No. 4 singles matchup, while the three other singles matches were declared unfinished because UT-Tyler had already clinched the victory. The lone Warhawk to win his match was freshman Tim Moller, who defeated the Patriots' William McDonald, 6-4, 6-3.
While the 'Hawks singles players put forth a good effort, the doubles teams had a rough day, as all three duos lost their matches by a combined score of 24-6.
Head coach Frank Barnes said his team dug itself into a deep hole with the double matches.
"We started out real slow in doubles," Barnes said. "Our three doubles teams weren't clicking at all. They're all disappointed with the way they played. Still, we gathered around before singles and vowed not to quit."
Senior captain and No. 5 singles player David Stefanik said the 'Hawks weren't able recover after the doubles losses.
"We needed to get the doubles points," Stafanik said. "We didn't play to our potential. We played really well in singles. We just didn't have it in doubles Friday."
The loss caps a successful season for the 'Hawks. The team finished the year with a 20-8 record, earned its second straight national tournament berth and won 20 matches for the third straight year. The achievements resulted in a No. 30 ranking in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll.
UT-Tyler now moves on to the regional final, where they will face Gustavus Adolphus College or Luther College. The winner of the Sweet Sixteen match they will advance to the Final Eight on Tuesday in Lewiston, Maine.
From the top singles matches on down, the UT-Tyler Patriots were in control all day. The No. 1 singles match featured a face-off between two players enjoying impressive seasons. Even though UW-Whitewater's Alex Lowe entered the match with his third straight 20-win season, UT-Tyler's Dustin Phillips countered with a .800 winning percentage, and prevailed in consecutive sets in the premiere matchup, 6-3, 6-1.
Many of the 'Hawks shared the same fate as Lowe. Danny Glinert fell in the No. 4 singles matchup, while the three other singles matches were declared unfinished because UT-Tyler had already clinched the victory. The lone Warhawk to win his match was freshman Tim Moller, who defeated the Patriots' William McDonald, 6-4, 6-3.
While the 'Hawks singles players put forth a good effort, the doubles teams had a rough day, as all three duos lost their matches by a combined score of 24-6.
Head coach Frank Barnes said his team dug itself into a deep hole with the double matches.
"We started out real slow in doubles," Barnes said. "Our three doubles teams weren't clicking at all. They're all disappointed with the way they played. Still, we gathered around before singles and vowed not to quit."
Senior captain and No. 5 singles player David Stefanik said the 'Hawks weren't able recover after the doubles losses.
"We needed to get the doubles points," Stafanik said. "We didn't play to our potential. We played really well in singles. We just didn't have it in doubles Friday."
The loss caps a successful season for the 'Hawks. The team finished the year with a 20-8 record, earned its second straight national tournament berth and won 20 matches for the third straight year. The achievements resulted in a No. 30 ranking in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll.
UT-Tyler now moves on to the regional final, where they will face Gustavus Adolphus College or Luther College. The winner of the Sweet Sixteen match they will advance to the Final Eight on Tuesday in Lewiston, Maine.
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