Hoboken, N.J. – The Stevens Institute of Technology men's tennis team blanked Penn State Harrisburg 4-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Tournament on Friday.
The Ducks (15-5) advanced behind wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles before
Renat Kramin,
Dhaivik Chenemilla, and
Tristan Wroe delivered straight-set victories in singles. Stevens has advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in each of the last five seasons.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Stevens secured the doubles point with a pair of decisive victories.
Max-William Kanz and
Samvid Andhare earned a 6-2 win at the top flight, while
Elias Alkio and Chenemilla cruised to a 6-1 triumph at No. 3 doubles. Tied 2-2, Kanz and Andhare rattled off the final four games to seal their victory. Alkio and Chenemilla controlled their match from the start, winning the opening five games on the way to the 6-1 decision.
Ian Batra and Wroe held a 3-0 lead at No. 2 doubles before the match was abandoned.
Kramin pushed the Ducks' lead to 2-0 with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 4 singles. Chenemilla followed with a 6-0, 6-2 win at the fifth flight before Wroe clinched the match with a 6-0, 6-1 decision at No. 6 singles. After blanking his opponent in the opening set, Chenemilla jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second before Colin Flack evened the frame at 2-2. Chenemilla responded by winning the next four games to close out the match.
Wroe also opened his match with a 6-0 first set. After dropping the opening game of the second, he responded by winning the next six games to clinch the match for Stevens. At the time of the clinch, Andhare led 6-5 at No. 1 singles, Kanz was ahead 6-2, 1-1 at No. 2, and Batra trailed 6-4, 1-0 at No. 3.
UP NEXT
The Ducks will face No. 16 Emory University on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
