TAMPA, Fla. – The Capital University men's tennis team opened its spring season in sunny Florida where they met up with a pair of tough opponents. The Crusaders shook off their rust against Webber International University (Fla.) and Chestnut Hill College (Pa.) where they dropped both matches.
On Monday, Feb. 23 the Crusaders took on the Warriors of Webber International where they lost 7-2. Despite falling in each of their three doubles matches, the combinations of Luke Buchanan/Dale Booher, Beau Streety/Kenny Duncan and Jared Judson/Gian Carlo DiMichaelangelo all battled to close decisions. None fell by more than three points in their respective doubles match.
Kenny Duncan (Poland, Ohio) and Jared Judson (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) pulled out victories in singles play. Duncan came from behind to defeat Patricio Henning in a heated 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 (10-6) decision out of the No. 5 spot in the lineup. Serving as the No. 6, Judson beat Victor Zapparoli 6-4, 6-3.
The following day, Capital played one of its two scheduled matches due to rain breezing through the area. Match scoring was altered to ensure the teams could finish a regulation match.
Capital dropped a 7-1 decision to Chestnut Hill early in the morning with its lone win coming from Luke Buchanan (Westerville, Ohio/Central) out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup. The junior defeated Sammy Atri, 8-4, for his second individual win of the 2014-15 season.
The Griffins (4-3) swept through doubles play, though Capital competed throughout. Judson nearly earned his second singles win of the week after taking a 7-5 first-set win from Daniel Awad, but fell in the next two sets (6-2, 10-7) before rain halted play for the day.
The Crusaders were scheduled to play Davenport University (Mich.) but weather forced a cancellation. The teams will not reschedule a make-up date.
Capital (3-2) will take Wednesday to recoup and then return to the court against Southeastern University to take on the Fire on Thursday.
