Top 10 Exciting Games of 2014-15 - #6 Men's Tennis Wins Inaugural ECAC Championship
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College continues its look back at its 2014-15 athletic campaign with the No. 6 highlight in the Top 10 Exciting Games – the men’s tennis squad defeating the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 5-2, to capture the inaugural ECAC Division III Outdoor Championship on May 10 at Stevenson University.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College continues its look back at its 2014-15 athletic campaign with the No. 6 highlight in the Top 10 Exciting Games – the men's tennis squad defeating the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 5-2, to capture the inaugural ECAC Division III Outdoor Championship on May 10 at Stevenson University.
The Greyhounds, who finished the year with a 13-7 overall record to tie the school record for victories - joining the 1996 and 2009 squads with 13 wins, recorded the first postseason championship in school history with their second victory of the year versus Landmark Conference rival USMMA.
Head Coach Art Smith '68 finished off his fourth season leading the men's program with the title.
"The finals against USMMA was a terrific and exciting Division III tennis match," commented Smith. "Our players and coaches knew it was going to be a tough match. On Sunday, March 22, on a very cold and windy day, we beat them in our first Landmark Conference match of the year, 5-4, at the Hoffman courts. I remember working frantically on Saturday clearing ice and snow from the courts so that we could play the following day.
"At Stevenson for the ECAC finals, it was a hot and sunny day in contrast to our first meeting," continued Smith. "I remember standing on the court for the player introductions and one of the match officials was talking about how one these two teams would be the first-ever to have their name engraved on the trophy as the winner of this inaugural tournament and what an honor that would be. I do not know how our players felt it but at that point I started to get a bit nervous."
In the match, Moravian would take a 2-1 lead after the doubles action. The Hounds took an early 1-0 lead when senior Lewis Cooper and sophomore Giovanni Lombardi posted an 8-4 win at second doubles, however, the Mariners answered with a victory at second doubles to even the match at 1-1.
Juniors Matt Tourto and John Wylie gave the Blue & Grey the lead back when they finished off an 8-6 win at first doubles as they set a new school record with their 17th doubles triumph of the season.
"One of the two key matches was No.1 doubles where Matt and John avenged an earlier loss to the James Hicks and Jake McDonough," explained Smith. "It was John and Matt's only conference loss. This time they won 8-6 in a very close and well-played match. John and Matt played extremely aggressive at the net and both returned serve real well."
Co-Captain Tourto recalls his feelings from the day.
"It felt great to be the first team to win the tennis ECAC championship. Our goal was to win the championship especially after being given the one seed," stated Tourto. "We continued to work hard up until our very last match. Winning two of the three doubles points against USMMA really helped take some pressure off of the singles matches. It was nice to beat the first doubles team because they were our only loss in conference this season. Our coaches really helped us stay confident mentally and physically strong in order to win the championship."
Cooper quickly gave Moravian a 3-1 lead as he finished off his third singles match with a 6-1, 7-5 victory but USMMA closed the gap again with a win at second singles. Sophomore Dan Schmucker earned a fourth point for the Greyhounds after a 6-2, 6-3 triumph at fourth singles. It would be junior C.J. Widdifield who garnered the winning team point for the Hounds with a 6-3, 6-4 win at sixth singles, and Widdifield was selected as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
"It was fantastic to be a part of a team that worked as one unit rather than individuals," Widdifield said. "This was the key to our success, no egos and realizing every point counted the same. We worked hard all season and wanted to bring a championship to Moravian. Once we made it to the championship match, we were told 'After today's competition one team will make history as the first ECAC Tennis Champion. Remember that as you play today, that the winner today will not just be a champion, but the first in history' that was the only motivation that I needed. It was a great team win over a rival team and we left it all on the court.
"It came down to the wire as my match sealed the victory," continued Widdifield. "It was surreal to know I had sealed the championship for our team. After accepting the team award, I walked back excited, but my emotions soared after I found out I was voted the ECAC Most Outstanding Player. That award could have gone to any player on our team but it truly showed that all of the hard work paid off and I was recognized on that day. We hope to continue our success next season after only graduating one senior and bringing several more championships to our Greyhound family."
Widdifield earned two victories in the ECAC Tournament but played hard for the win against USMMA.
"The clinching point was C.J., who won at number six singles, 6-3, 6-4. Once again C.J. played very consistent and was able to exploit his opponents weaknesses. This was a great experience for our players and a great way to end the season," finished Smith.
You can check out the original game day story at http://moraviansports.com/sports/mten/2014-15/releases/201505100xo1x2.
Number five on our Top 10 Exciting Games will be announced on Friday, July 10.
