Men's Tennis Advances to NCAA Regional Final

Courtesy of Middlebury College Sports Information

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The MIT men's tennis team held off a furious comeback from Stevens Institute of Technology to advance to the NCAA Regional finals with a 5-3 victory over the Ducks (18-4). The Engineers (15-1) will meet Middlebury College (19-2) at noon on Sunday with a trip to the NCAA Quarterfinals on the line.

MIT jumped out to a solid 3-0 lead by sweeping all three doubles matches. Kevin and Larry Pang started off for the Engineers with an 8-3 win over Chris Rosensteel and Piotr Rusinkiewicz in the No. 2 match. Ken Van Tilburg and Matthew Skalak made it a 2-0 match by topping Shota Tasaki and Arik Zeevy 8-1 in the top spot, before Andrew Cooper and Brian Oldfield were 8-6 victors over Gregory Klose and Jason Ringstad at No. 3.

MIT increased its lead to 4-0 when Skalak quickly earned a 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles. Stevens then began its comeback, winning the next three singles matches to come within one at 4-3. Zeevy was a 6-1, 6-1 winner over L. Pang in the No. 3 spot, before Tasaka topped Van Tilburg 6-2, 6-3 in the top singles slot. Rosensteel kept the momentum going at No. 2, with a 6-3, 6-3 win over K. Pang. Tymor Hamamsy sealed the win for the Cardinal and Gray, earning a 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 win over Rusinkiewicz at No. 5.

Full Results

MIT 5 - Stevens 3

Doubles
1. Ken Van Tilburg/Matthew Skalak (M) def. Shota Tasaki/Arik Zeevy (S); 8-1
2. Kevin Pang/Larry Pang (M) def. Chris Rosensteel/Piotr Rusinkiewicz (S); 8-3
3. Andrew Cooper/Brian Oldfield (M) def. Gregory Klose/Jason Ringstad (S); 8-6

Singles
1. Tasaka (S) def. Van Tilburg (M); 6-2, 6-3
2. Rosensteel (S) def. K. Pang (M); 6-3, 6-3
3. Zeevy (S) def. L. Pang (M); 6-1, 6-1
4. Ringstad (S) led Oldfield (M); 6-4, 5-6 [halted]
5. Tymor Hamamsy (M) def. Rusinkiewicz (S); 6-2, 4-6, 6-0
6. Skalak (M) def. Klose (S); 6-3, 6-0