SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers split a pair of home matches played in very different circumstances, falling 6-3 to North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) West Division rival Wabash in a match played at Springfield Racquet Club before rallying for a 9-0 win over Thomas More back at the Georgianna Albright Tennis Complex.
The split left Wittenberg with records of 10-8 overall and 2-2 in the NCAC West. The loss to Wabash was key in that it helps determine placement in the NCAC Tournament May 1-2.
Against Wabash, doubles was key as the Tigers lost two of three matches, with only the No. 2 duo of junior Bobby Fisher (Gahanna, Ohio/Lincoln) and senior Craig Lods (Chillicothe, Ohio/Chillicothe) recording a win. In singles, sophomoreStephane Antwi (Rosedale, NY/McClancy Memorial) was a winner at No. 1 and freshman Sergio Fishkin (Minsk, Belarus) was convincing at No. 2, but the Little Giants were straight set winners on the last four courts.
The match was played indoors due to low temperatures and high winds in the morning. While the winds didn't let up most of the day, the temperatures rose mid-day, and Wabash and Wittenberg both swept Thomas More back on campus.
Antwi was won of four double-winners in the match, claiming lop-sided victories at both No. 1 positions. Sophomore Shaun Byrnes (Westlake, Ohio/St. Edward) and freshman Josh Fridley (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Pickerington Central) stepped into the lineup to pick up singles wins at No. 5 and 6, respecitvely, with Fridley adding a win at No. 3 doubles as well.