Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

ST. PETER, MN - The Johns Hopkins men's tennis team nearly exacted revenge for its loss in the NCAA Tournament last season to Trinity (TX). But the Blue Jays fell just short, losing 5-4 to the Tigers in the consolation semifinals at the National Indoor Championships. The Tigers took an early 3-0 lead after sweeping all three doubles matches, but the Blue Jays rallied in singles play, winning four of six to fall just short.

In singles play, sophomore All-American David Maldow (Jericho, NY/Jericho) won his 10th match of the season and improved to 10-1 overall by defeating #9 Oliver Gaines in straight sets (6-1, 6-2) at first singles. Senior Joe Vasoontara (Bangkok, Thailand/Loomis Chaffee) picked up a win at third singles, beating David Tran 7-6, 6-4. Freshman Casey Blythe (Louisville, KY/Saint Xavier) won a thee-set match over Varun Munjal at fourth singles (6-2, 2-6, 6-1). Senior Rafael Roberti (Summit, NJ/Summit) also picked up a win for the Blue Jays as he beat Crisanto Ramirez 6-2, 7-5 at sixth singles.

For Trinity, wins for James Furr at second and Bobby Cocanougher at fifth gave the Tigers the win. In doubles play, Vasoontara and Blythe fell at first doubles to Gaines and Ryan DeSantis 8-6. Furr and Tran defeated Maldow and senior Matt Naftilan (Nashville, TN/Montgomery Bell Academy) 8-3 at second doubles. While freshman Andrew Wang (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) and Roberti lost to #9 Cory Kowal and Cocanougher 8-5 at third doubles.

Hopkins wraps up action at the championships Saturday night with a 7:30 pm match against #4 DePauw. Live updates are available at: http://gustavus.edu/athletics/mt/archives/2008/2008_ITA/index.cfm