SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers kicked off the 2009-10 season with a hard-fought 6-3 loss to neighboring Cedarville University.
Things started off well enough, with Wittenberg taking two of three in the doubles competition. Sophomore Stephane Antwi (Rosedale, NY/McClancy Memorial) paired with senior Craig Lods (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) to take an 8-3 decision at No. 2 doubles, while junior Bobby Fisher (Gahanna, Ohio/Lincoln) and freshman Stuart Zorn (Wyoming, Ohio/Wyoming) added an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles.
The tide turned in the singles, as the Yellow Jackets nearly swept all six courts. Antwi was Wittenberg's lone singles winner as he overcame a first set loss in a tiebreaker to win 6-3, 6-3 at the No. 3 position. Lods lost a three-setter at No. 4, and freshman Sergio Fishkin (Minsk, Belarus) was unable to push his No. 1 singles match into a third set as he dropped a second set tiebreaker.
The Tigers jump right back into action Saturday with a road trip to St. Joseph's College in Indiana. Wittenberg will play two matches at St. Joseph's - one against the host team and the other against Calumet College.