NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Washington and Lee men's tennis team notched its first win over a Top 40 opponent in three seasons, recording a 7-2 decision over 40th-ranked Christopher Newport on Sunday morning in Newport News.
The Generals claimed all three doubles points to stake a 3-0 lead heading into singles play. The No. 3 doubles team of senior
Mitchell Thomas (Houma, La. / Vandebilt Catholic) and first-year
James Torbert (Montgomery, Ala. / Montgomery Academy) fell behind 6-4, but broke the CNU serve and went on to post an 8-6 victory.
W&L dropped three of the first four sets in singles play, but a 6-3, 6-4 win by sophomore
Alex Fedor (Salem, Ore. / South Salem) at No. 3 singles gave the Generals a 4-0 lead, before the Captains took matches at No. 2 and No. 4 singles to pull within 4-2.
Senior
Harry Shepherd (New York, N.Y. / St. George's School) was down 3-6, 6-6 in a second set tie-breaker at No. 1 singles, but he gained an early mini-break of serve in the tie-breaker and served out to win the set. He then easily won the third set 6-0 to clinch the match for W&L.
With the win, the Generals are now 2-2 on the season. CNU dropped to 1-2 overall.
W&L returns to action on Monday when it travels to Salisbury for a 4:00 pm match with the Seagulls, who are ranked eighth in the Atlantic South Region.
Washington and Lee Men's Tennis
Washington and Lee vs Chris. Newport (Feb 23, 2020)
Washington and Lee 7, Chris. Newport 2
Feb 23, 2020 at Newport News, Va.
| Singles competition |
| 1. Harry Shepherd (WLUM) def. Dominic Lacombe (CNU) 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 |
| 2. Scotty Hunter (CNU) def. Mitchell Thomas (WLUM) 6-3, 6-1 |
| 3. Alex Fedor (WLUM) def. Ryan Macy (CNU) 6-3, 6-4 |
| 4. Andy Mason (CNU) def. John Rudden (WLUM) 6-2, 6-3 |
| 5. Noah Tapp (WLUM) def. Bently Goodwin (CNU) 6-4, 6-4 |
| 6. Evan Brady (WLUM) def. James Baron (CNU) 7-5, 6-2 |
| Match Notes |
| Washington and Lee 2-2 |
| Chris. Newport 1-2 |
