FREDERICKSBURG, VA. (February 24, 2019) – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's tennis team traveled down south to compete against some of the best teams in Division III. The Ducks took on three ranked teams over the past two days; #20 University of Mary Washington, #23 Sewanee, and # 14 Kenyon College. The stiff competition proved to be too much for the young Duck squad as they went 0-3 on the weekend but continue to find bright spots each time they step on the courts.
"This weekend was a great experience for our young team. Each match we became a tougher out and competed well against some of the top teams in the country," Head Coach
Steve Gachko remarked.
Match 1 – #20 University of Mary Washington
The men's tennis team opened with the host school on Saturday morning. The Eagles handed the Ducks their second loss of the season. Mary Washington took the match 8-1 and lead the match from start to finish, the Ducks trailed 3-0 after the doubles flights and couldn't regain the momentum during the single flights. Freshman
Marc Feliu Gomez registered a solid win in the No. 1 singles flight. Gomez defeated Patrick Hughes in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to get a point on the board for the Ducks. Sophomore Brian Szayna battled hard in the second singles position but was not able to force a winner take all third set against Michael Fleming losing 6-4, 7-5.
Match 2 - #23 Sewanee: The University of the South
The Ducks went up against Sewanee on Saturday afternoon and were unable to get things going against the Tigers. Sewanee won the match 7-2 to improve to 5-1 on the season while Stevens dropped to 0-3. Sophomore
Bryan Szayna and freshman
Marc Feliu Gomez got the first point on the board for Ducks by winning their No. 1 doubles flight in thrilling fashion. The duo was able to eke out an 8-7 victory over Jack Gray and Jordan Brewer of Sewanee, the Ducks trailed 2-1 going into the single flights. After dropping the first set,
Marc Feliu Gomez was able to rally and take the next two sets to win his second single flight of the weekend.
Match 3 - #14 Kenyon College
In their final match of the weekend Stevens took on their highest ranked opponent of the weekend in Kenyon College on Sunday morning. The Ducks got off to a great start against the highly touted Lords' and were up 2-1 after the double flights. "The highlight of the weekend was going up 2-1 after doubles on a very tough Kenyon team," Gachko stated. The Ducks couldn't extend the lead any further as they dropped all their single flights to the Lords' and drop to 0-4 on the season by a score of 7-2. Kenyon improves to 6-0 on the season, they came out on top 5-4 against Mary Washington and Sewanee on Saturday.
Marc Feliu Gomez continues to show promising growth playing primarily out of the No. 1 single and double spot. Gomez will continue to be a key role in the Ducks line up throughout the spring season. "
Marc Feliu Gomez had a very impressive showing this weekend going 4-2 at the top single and double spot," said Head Coach
Steve Gachko. "Overall, I'm very proud of the gains we made this weekend and look forward to getting back to work."
Up Next: Stevens will host Haverford College on March 2
nd in their home opener. Action will start at 12 P.M. on Stevens Tennis Courts.
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